The US Mission to Nigeria on Monday applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for arresting Osondu Victor Igwilo wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“With justice as our mutual priority, we commend @officialEFCC for partnering with the @FBI and arresting long-wanted suspect Igwilo for conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft,” the US Mission said. in Nigeria in a tweet.
U.S. authorities charged Igwilo with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft in 2016.
Igwilo was accused of being the leader of a criminal network of “hunters” who sent phishing emails to potential victims falsely offering investment funds on behalf of BB&T Corporation, a US bank based in North Carolina.
“When the victims were interested in the alleged investment financing, Igwilo allegedly sent U.S. citizens he had recruited online to pose as BB&T “representatives” to meet with the victims in person and sign an alleged security agreement. investment on behalf of BB&T. United States Department of Justice in a 2018 statement.
“When traveling to the countries where the victims resided, these representatives, under the direction of Igwilo, would visit the local US embassy or consulate and use false documents bearing fraudulent US government stamps to deceive victims by leading them to believe that the investment agreement was sponsored by the United States government, the complaint alleges.”
Igwilo then allegedly used the representatives and recruiters to convince the victims to make electronic payments to bank accounts in the United States in the false belief that such payments were necessary to effectuate the investment agreements.
The holders of the US bank accounts were “money changers” who disposed of the funds at Igwilo’s instructions, including purchasing luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes Benz and Range Rover, and sending them to Nigeria, he alleges. the complaint.