A Nigerian citizen, has been found guilty of aiding in an attempt to defraud a North Dakota law firm through false digital transfers.
According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of North Dakota, between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje, along with others, purported to be a business owner in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company, and entered into a fake attorney-client relationship with the firm. After a series of false statements and promises, the firm received a parcel containing a fraudulent Citibank check payable in the amount of $198,850.00, which was deposited in their bank account. At the purported business owner's request, the firm then sent a $198,336.68 wire transfer to Agbaje's business partner.
After the transfer, Agbaje directed his partner to initiate a fake $180,000 international transfer to conceal the money's location, ownership, and control. Upon hearing that law enforcement officers were actively conducting a fraud investigation on the transfer, he reportedly instructed his business partner to "gain leverage", "press on", and "claim naivety."
Agbaje was originally extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five different charges. While he was cleared of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud in May, the suspect was also found guilty of Money Laundering, Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud.
On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in prison, and must pay the firm $188,935.74 in restitution.
"This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice," United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. "When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo."
"Today's sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. "Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it."
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