A 45-year-old Nigerian man, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, has been indicted by a United States federal grand jury over his alleged role in a romance fraud and business email compromise scheme that reportedly defrauded a US government agency of more than $300,000.
According to the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Udugba, who lives in Frisco, Texas, faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.
Prosecutors allege that Udugba and his associates used social media and online dating platforms to build fake romantic relationships with victims. The victims were allegedly manipulated into acting as money mules by receiving and depositing fraudulently obtained cheques.
Investigators also claim that the suspects sent spoofed emails from Nigeria while pretending to represent the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The emails allegedly instructed that government grant funds be used to pay fake invoices submitted in the names of recruited money mules posing as contractors and consultants.
Authorities said the fraudulent scheme resulted in the payment of more than $300,000 in public funds.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General.
If convicted, Udugba could face up to 30 years in federal prison, in addition to supervised release and financial penalties.
US prosecutors emphasized that the indictment is only an allegation, and Udugba is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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