The United States on Tuesday exposed six Nigerians over alleged internet fraud worth more than $6m.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], the suspects are Richard Uzuh, Micheal Olorunyomi, Alex Ogunshakin, Felix Okpoh, Nnamdi Benson, and Abiola Kayode.
In a statement on its website, the US Department of State said the six persons “manipulated their victims to gain access to their sensitive information and financial resources”.
It explained that they targeted American businesses and individuals using “business email compromise and romance fraud” while impersonating American business executives, requesting, and receiving wire transfers from their accounts.
It added that they targeted women, especially those who just lost a spouse, deceiving them with affection through calls and constant chats until they gain their trust and swindle their unsuspecting victims.
US Department of Justice pronounced that “all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the possession or control of US persons or within or transiting the United States are blocked, and U.S. persons generally are prohibited from dealing with them”.
US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo warned,
“The U.S. will not tolerate such gross misuse of technology. The United States will use all of the tools at our disposal to defend the American people and businesses from malign actors that seek to target them, including cyber-enabled actors who prey on vulnerable Americans and businesses.”
