Nigerian Sentenced To Nearly 12 Years For $200K Fraud In US

A Nigerian national was convicted of participating in an attempt to use fraudulent digital transfers to defraud a North Dakota legal practice.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota claims that between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje and several others faked being a customer of the firm by posing as a business owner involved in a legal dispute with a Bismarck corporation.

Following a string of deceptive claims and assurances, the company got a package with a fake $198,850.00 counterfeit Citibank cheque put in their bank account.

The company then wired $198,336.68 to Agbaje’s business associate at the request of the alleged business owner.

Following the transfer, Agbaje instructed his colleague to execute a fictitious $180,000 international transfer to disguise the money’s location, ownership, and control. When he learnt that law enforcement agents were actively investigating the transfer for fraud, he allegedly directed his business partner to “gain leverage,” “press on,” and “claim naivety.”

Agbaje was initially extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five separate counts. While he was acquitted of wire and mail fraud in May, the suspect was found guilty of money laundering, aiding and abetting wire and mail fraud.

On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in jail and ordered to pay the firm $188,935.74 in reparation.

“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it.”

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