A Nigerian, Victor Uzor, has been sentenced to 48 months' imprisonment, along with three years of supervised release and over $1 million in restitution, for his involvement in a $1.1 million business email compromise scheme.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday by United States District Court Judge, Kelley Brisbon Hodge.
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero disclosed this in a statement on the Department of Justice website on Tuesday
According to Romero, on January 2, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The scheme typically involved another member of the conspiracy posing as a legitimate vendor and sending a false invoice to the victim organisation.
As reported on the website, Uzor's involvement in the offence entailed opening a sequence of bank accounts under the identities of innocent individuals unrelated to the crime.
Another collaborator orchestrated the victims to transfer money to the accounts established by Uzor.
Subsequently, Uzor promptly withdrew these funds and transferred them to other accounts to avoid detection before the scam was detected
Altogether, Uzor aided in the theft of approximately $1.1 million from the victimized businesses and individuals. Additionally, he made an unsuccessful attempt to steal another $400,000.
One of the victims of the scheme was a nonprofit mental health care provider situated in Doylestown, PA.
"First, Victor Uzor victimised the people whose identities he stole to facilitate this scheme," said Romero.
"Then he helped prey upon the primary targets of the business email compromise, including a nonprofit organisation in Bucks County dedicated to providing behavioural health care for the underprivileged and underserved - a safety net for those in need of care.
"In stealing from this provider, he shortchanged its employees, patients, and the community. My office is committed to holding accountable anyone involved in such a clear-cut case of fraud," said the U.S. attorney.
Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, Wayne A. Jacobs, said, "The FBI works each and every day to dismantle fraud schemes that affect our citizens.
"Alongside our partners, we will continue to bring to justice criminals who orchestrate these scams, and protect the hard-earned assets of our citizens."
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Livermore.
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