Nigerian man extradited from France to US over hacking and fraud allegations

A Nigerian man has been extradited from France to face hacking, identity theft, and fraud charges in the US. He and his co-conspirators allegedly used spearphishing to steal customer data, filing fraudulent tax returns and disaster relief claims worth millions of dollars.

In a much-awaited legal move, Nigerian man Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, a/k/a “Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo” and “So Kwan Leung,” was recently extradited from France to the United States to face charges related to hacking, fraud, and identity theft.

The extradition, announced by the FBI and the Department of Justice, marks the culmination of extensive teamwork between US and French law enforcement agencies and is a major step in the ongoing case.

According to statements from US Attorney Jay Clayton and FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia, Amachukwu is a key figure in a scheme that has allegedly stolen millions of dollars. The charges against him and his co-conspirators include a sophisticated plan to hack into tax businesses across the US, including locations in New York and Texas.

The alleged fraud began around 2019, when Amachukwu and his partners, including a person named Kinglsey Uchelue Utulu, used deceptive emails to gain access to the computer systems of tax preparation businesses. These types of emails, known as spearphishing, are highly targeted messages designed to trick specific individuals into revealing sensitive information or granting system access. Once inside, the group stole personal and tax information from thousands of customers.

They then used this stolen data to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS and state tax authorities, seeking approximately $8.4 million and successfully obtaining around $2.5 million. The scheme didn’t stop there. The group also reportedly used the stolen identities to file fake claims with the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, securing an additional $819,000 in fraudulent payouts. This program is designed to provide financial relief to businesses affected by disasters.

In a separate scheme, Amachukwu is also accused of running a fake investment program. He allegedly promised victims valuable standby letters of credit that didn’t actually exist, and instead, “pocketed millions of dollars of his victims’ money,” according to US Attorney Clayton.

Amachukwu, 39, faces several serious charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, multiple counts of wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft (PDF). If convicted, these charges could lead to a lengthy prison sentence. He was presented before US Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, with the case now assigned to US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

The FBI praised the work of its international partners, including the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the French National Gendarmerie, for their help in the arrest and extradition. As is customary, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.