Nigerian Man Extradited from France to the U.S. to Face Cybercrime, Fraud Charges

A 39-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amarachukwu, has been extradited from France to the United States to face charges related to hacking, fraud, and identity theft. U.S. authorities announced on Tuesday, August 5, that Amarachukwu—also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and “So Kwan Leung”—was extradited a day earlier at the request of the United States government.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Amarachukwu is accused of participating in an international cyber scheme involving spearphishing attacks on U.S.-based tax preparation businesses. Working with co-conspirator Kingsley Uchelue Utulu and others based in Nigeria, he allegedly infiltrated electronic systems of businesses in New York, Texas, and other states. The conspirators reportedly stole sensitive identity information from thousands of individuals and used it to file fraudulent tax returns, seeking at least \$8.4 million in refunds. Authorities say they successfully obtained approximately \$2.5 million and an additional \$819,000 through fraudulent claims submitted to the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

In a separate scheme, Amarachukwu is also accused of defrauding victims by offering fake investment opportunities in non-existent standby letters of credit. Prosecutors say he collected millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors.

He was arrested in France at the request of the United States and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

Amarachukwu is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of more than 60 years.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton praised the FBI’s investigative work and acknowledged the support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, and French authorities in securing Amarachukwu’s arrest and extradition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Nessim of the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit is leading the prosecution.

The charges remain allegations, and Amarachukwu is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.