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Three Nigerians on FBI Most-Wanted List for $6M Fraud Scheme
According to the FBI’s website, the trio were part of a group that scammed over 70 businesses in the United States. Benson is said to have played a key role by providing bank accounts where the stolen money was sent.
The FBI notice also mentioned that Benson was involved in other types of fraud, such as romance and advance-fee scams. He was indicted by a U.S. court in August 2019.
The notice about Benson reads: “Nnamdi Orson Benson is wanted for his role in a BEC scheme that defrauded over 70 businesses in the U.S., causing losses of more than $6 million. Benson allegedly gave bank accounts to Richard Uzuh to receive the stolen money. Benson is also accused of conducting romance fraud and advance-fee scams. On August 21, 2019, he, along with Felix Okpoh and Abiola Kayode, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. A federal arrest warrant was issued for him the next day.”
Another FBI notice described Okpoh’s involvement, saying he helped by providing hundreds of bank accounts used to receive stolen money, totaling about $1 million.
The notice states: “Okpoh allegedly gave numerous bank accounts to Richard Uzuh and others, including Benson, to receive fraudulent wire transfers. These transfers totaled over $1 million. Okpoh was indicted on August 21, 2019, and a federal warrant for his arrest was issued the following day.”
Uzuh is accused of sending fake emails to businesses across the U.S., tricking them into transferring money. The FBI also states that Uzuh worked with others to launder the stolen funds through a complex network.
The notice about Uzuh reads: “Uzuh and his co-conspirators, including Okpoh, Kayode, and Benson, allegedly sent fake emails to businesses in the U.S. asking for wire transfers. Uzuh worked with money launderers and others to hide the proceeds of the crime, both in the U.S. and abroad. Uzuh was indicted in October 2016 and a federal warrant for his arrest was issued the next day.”
Recently, another member of the group, Abiola Kayode, who had been on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal list, was extradited from Ghana to the U.S. He was arrested in April 2023 and sent to Nebraska after a U.S. request for extradition.
A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nebraska, said Kayode had been indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in August 2019. He was handed over to the FBI after his arrest in Ghana and brought to the U.S. in December.