U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that a 33-year-old Nigerian man had been detained for his role in a significant business email compromise and money laundering scheme.
Edikan Adiakpan, who is scheduled to appear for the first time at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray, has been detained, according to authorities.
Adiakpan is accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and illegal money transmission in a three-count indictment filed on June 11 in Houston by a federal grand jury. According to the indictment, Adiakpan and co-conspirators plotted a business email compromise scheme in 2021 that targeted businesses in at least eight states, including a California research group that was working on treating American veterans.
According to the allegations, victims were sent “spoofed” emails that appeared to be from well-known suppliers and creditors. They allegedly were defrauded into sending money to banks that the fraudsters controlled rather than the actual customers.
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Further, according to the allegations, the conspirators transferred the funds quickly between various bank accounts under their control and laundered them. The funds were then allegedly transformed into cashier’s checks. Adiakpan allegedly cashed the checks and paid a portion of the proceeds.
Ayobami Omoniyi, a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen, is currently awaiting sentencing before the U.S. Judge Andrew S. Hanen for the US District.
Adiakpan faces charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiracy conspiracy conspiracy for up to 20 years in prison, as well as five years in prison for transmitting illegal money. A maximum fine of $250, 000 is possible for each conviction.
Source: Channels TV
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