Four Nigerians arraigned in US over $10m fraud

Nnamdi Nwosu wanted for fraud in US
Nnamdi Nwosu Photo: US Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

Four Nigerian men living in Texas, United States, have been arrested for allegedly laundering millions of dollars through business email compromise schemes, US Justice Department has said.

A fifth person, who is also a Nigerian, 32-year-old Nnamdi Nwosu, is wanted by the police.

The arrested suspects are Bameyi Omale, 31; Chinonso Agbaji, 29; Igho Calaba, 25; and Chibuzor Uba, 30.

Federal prosecutors say they were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday.

A federal grand jury heard that the suspects acquired or controlled dozens of bank accounts opened in the US using fake identification documents like fake passports with fake names.

The jury also heard that the suspects received over $10 million sent to accounts controlled by them from US and foreign victims.

The five men have been charged with a count of money laundering conspiracy while Nwosu, Agbaji and Calaba were additionally charged with a count of passport fraud in furtherance of the money laundering conspiracy.

If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison for money laundering conspiracy and 10 years for passport fraud.