US Court Sentences Obinwanne “Invictus Obi” Okeke To 10 Years In Prison| GOVERNMEND
The convicted international fraudster, Obinwanne Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding victims of $11m.
The Nigerian national, Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, was convicted by District Judge Rebecca Smith after being convicted of participating in a computer intrusion fraud program that caused victims to lose an estimated $11 million, according to the judge.
Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million in losses to his victims,” said Raj Parekh, acting U.S attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
“Today’s sentence further demonstrates EDVA’s and FBI’s worldwide reach in vigorously pursuing justice on behalf of American victims and others and holding international cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes,” Parekh added
Obinwanne Okeke, 33, ran a group of companies called Invictus Group based in Nigeria and overseas.
He was rated 30 under 30 in the Forbes category for his business accomplishments and wealth.
From 2015 to 2019, Okeke and others became involved in a conspiracy to carry out various computer fraud cases.
The conspirators received and compiled the credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the eastern district of Virginia.
As part of this program, Okeke and other conspirators have instituted a compromise email system targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, Caterpillar’s heavy industrial and agricultural equipment export sales office.
In April 2018, a Unatrac manager was the victim of a phishing email that was used by conspirators to capture login credentials. The conspirators sent fraudulent transfer requests and included bogus invoices. Okeke was involved in efforts to target Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11 million sent overseas.
Additionally, Okeke has committed other forms of cyber fraud, including sending phishing emails to collect email credentials, creating fraudulent websites, and other losses to many victims.
Following the conviction, Brian Dugan, a special agent for the FBI field office in Norfolk, said: “The FBI will not allow cybercriminals free reign in the digital world to prey on U.S. companies.”
He added: “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners at the Department of Justice and our foreign counterparts to locate cybercriminals across the globe and bring them to the United States to be held accountable.”
