A 40-year-old Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Amachukwu, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the United States for his role in hacking, identity theft and fraud schemes involving millions of dollars.
Amachukwu, also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung, was sentenced by US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, according to a statement issued by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to prosecutors, Amachukwu and his co-conspirators, including Kingsley Uchelue Utulu, began targeting US tax preparation businesses in 2019 using spear-phishing emails to gain unauthorised access to their computer systems.
The group allegedly stole tax and other personal information belonging to approximately 800 customers of several businesses in New York, Texas and other states.
The stolen identities were subsequently used to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities.
Prosecutors said the conspirators sought tax refunds totalling at least $8.4 million and successfully obtained at least $2.5 million through the scheme.
The group also used stolen identities to submit fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme, obtaining at least $819,000 in illicit payments.
Amachukwu Obtained More Than $7m Through Investment Fraud
In a separate fraud scheme, Amachukwu allegedly offered victims in the United States investment opportunities in purportedly valuable standby letters of credit.
He reportedly impersonated a wealthy foreign financier to persuade victims to invest in the supposed financial instruments.
However, the investments did not exist. Amachukwu and his co-conspirators obtained more than $7 million through the scheme, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
United States Attorney Jamie McDonald said Amachukwu had believed he could operate beyond the reach of American law enforcement.
“Amachukwu took part in sophisticated schemes to hack into U.S. businesses, steal and use stolen identity information of victims, and commit fraud,” McDonald said.
He added that the crimes caused significant harm to victims and the public, making a substantial prison sentence appropriate.
Court Orders $3.6m Restitution and $10.8m Forfeiture
In addition to his eight-year prison sentence, Amachukwu was ordered to serve one year of supervised release after completing his prison term.
The court also ordered him to pay $3,647,629.39 in restitution to victims and forfeit $10,846,634.39.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation, while Assistant US Attorney Daniel G. Nessim handled the prosecution.
The case highlights the financial and legal consequences of cybercrime, identity theft and investment fraud targeting individuals and businesses in the United States.
