Nigerian Man Sentenced To US Prison For $1.1m Fraud

Victor Uzor, a Nigerian, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison, three years on supervised release, and more than $1 million in compensation for his involvement in a $1.1 million business email breach scheme.

Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge of the United States District Court in Philadelphia sentenced Uzor, 36, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced in a statement that on January 2, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Another participant in the conspiracy would often pose as a reputable vendor and email the victim organisation a bogus invoice.

Uzor’s role in the offence was to open a number of bank accounts in the names of actual people who had no relation to the crime.

Another conspirator arranged for the victims to transfer funds to accounts opened by Uzor.

Uzor promptly withdrew the funds and transferred them to other accounts before the scheme was discovered.

Uzor helped steal around $1.1 million from the victim’s businesses and individuals, and he unsuccessfully attempted to steal an additional $400,000.

One of the scheme’s victims was a nonprofit mental health care provider in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

“First, Victor Uzor victimized the people whose identities he stole to facilitate this scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.

“Then he helped prey upon the primary targets of the business email compromise, including a nonprofit organization in Bucks County dedicated to providing behavioural health care for the underprivileged and underserved — a safety net for those in need of care. In stealing from this provider, he shortchanged its employees, patients, and the community. My office is committed to holding accountable anyone involved in such a clear-cut case of fraud.”

“The FBI works each and every day to dismantle fraud schemes that affect our citizens,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Alongside our partners, we will continue to bring to justice criminals who orchestrate these scams, and protect the hard-earned assets of our citizens.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli