A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Lotenna Umeadi, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the United States and could face up to 20 years in prison. Umeadi was extradited from Germany after authorities linked him to an elaborate business email compromise scheme that defrauded a Sri Lankan organization of $158,400.
How the Fraud Happened
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Umeadi purchased a webpage from a computer hacker, which allowed him to steal email passwords. He then used these credentials to gain unauthorized access to the email accounts of employees working for a Sri Lankan produce exporter.
“Umeadi used those passwords to gain access to email accounts belonging to employees of a produce exporter in Sri Lanka,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
After accessing the emails, Umeadi impersonated legitimate business representatives and sent fraudulent messages to their clients. His deception tricked a produce importer in Plattsburgh, New York, into wiring money to his bank accounts in the United Kingdom.
“As a result of the fraudulent emails from Umeadi, on two occasions in 2016, a produce importer in Plattsburgh, New York, wired money, totaling $158,400, to those bank accounts in the United Kingdom,” officials confirmed.
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Arrest and Extradition
U.S. authorities had been tracking Umeadi for years. He was finally arrested by German authorities on September 1, 2024, after arriving in Germany from Nigeria. Following his arrest, he was extradited to the United States, where he was formally charged.
His guilty plea confirms his involvement in the wire fraud scheme, and he now awaits sentencing.
Possible Sentencing and Consequences
Umeadi’s sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. In addition to his sentence, he is likely to be deported from the U.S. after serving his prison term.
Legal experts believe his sentencing will send a strong message to cybercriminals involved in business email compromise scams.
“This case highlights the dangers of online fraud and how authorities are working together globally to track and bring criminals to justice,” a cybersecurity expert noted.
The U.S. Department of Justice has continued to crack down on cybercrime, warning businesses to be vigilant against email scams and fraudulent transactions.