Nigerian Man Admits Role in $6 Million U.S. Cyber Fraud Scheme

A Nigerian national described by authorities as a cybercrime kingpin has pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar business email compromise scheme.

James Junior Aliyu, 30, who was living in South Africa during the period of his criminal activity, admitted his role in the fraud that targeted businesses and individuals through hacked email accounts and spoofed messages. Federal prosecutors said Aliyu and his co-conspirators tricked victims into transferring money into accounts they controlled, then laundered the proceeds through cash withdrawals, transfers, cashier’s checks, and payments to other individuals and entities in an attempt to disguise the source of the funds.

Aliyu was indicted in June 2019 along with two other Nigerian nationals, Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu. The indictment was unsealed in July 2022 after the three men were arrested abroad and later extradited to the United States. Aliyu is the last of the group to plead guilty. Eight other defendants linked to the same conspiracy had already entered guilty pleas in Maryland in related cases.

Prosecutors said Aliyu’s activities between February and July 2017 resulted in intended losses of more than \$4.1 million, with at least \$1.57 million in actual losses. He personally controlled nearly \$1.2 million of the stolen funds. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he must pay a money judgment of \$1.19 million and restitution of at least \$2.38 million.

Aliyu faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 24 by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes credited the work of Homeland Security Investigations’ Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, as well as South African justice authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their roles in securing the extraditions of Aliyu and his co-conspirators. Prosecutors also acknowledged support from Canadian authorities and highlighted the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy, who is handling the case.