The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday announced sanctions on six Nigerians whom it accuses of operating an elaborate online scheme to steal more than $6 million from people across the United States.
According to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the six individuals are: Nnamdi Orson Benson, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode, Alex Afolabi Ogushakin, Felix Osilama Okpoh, Micheal Olorunyomi, and Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh.
The State Department, however, did not elaborate on the actions taken against the six individuals.
“The six individuals designated today manipulated their victims to gain access to their sensitive information and financial resources. The U.S. will not tolerate such gross misuse of technology,” a statement on the State Department website said.
The State Department vowed to protect citizens and organisations from the dangers of online fraud noting that technological advancements offered a greater opportunity for vulnerable Americans to be exploited by “malicious actors”.
Today, the United States designated six Nigerian nationals for conducting an elaborate online scheme to steal more than $6 million from victims across the United States. We will defend American businesses and individuals from malicious cyber activities.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 16, 2020
“The United States will use all of the tools at our disposal to defend the American people and businesses from malign actors that seek to target them, including cyber-enabled actors who prey on vulnerable Americans and businesses.”
U.S. authorities have in recent months cracked down on online fraud perpetrated against its citizens, notably by Nigerians.
In August last year, 80 people, mainly Nigerians, were charged with involvement in a scheme to steal millions of dollars through different scams and then launder the proceeds.
In November, a Nigerian national, Olu Victor Alonge, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a $1.83 million romance fraud scheme involving elderly victims. Six other Nigerians were charged as part of the conspiracy.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has also cautioned American citizens from falling prey to online fraudsters by providing their personal and financial information to individuals or entities in Nigeria whose identities and existence they have not verified. It also warned them against sending money to such people or organizations in the West African country.
