Nigerians on FBI's Cyber Most Wanted List Identified

The identities of several Nigerians on the FBI Cyber Most Wanted list have emerged in connection with a $6 million Email Compromise scheme that targeted over 70 businesses. Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin was extradited to the United States and convicted, receiving a 45-month prison sentence in October 2024 for providing bank accounts used in the fraud.

Abiola Ayorinde Kayode was extradited to Nebraska in December 2024 and is currently in custody without bail. Felix Osilama Okpoh surrendered to Nigeria's EFCC in September 2020, allowing legal proceedings to commence against him.

Investigators have dismantled the fraud network by tracing digital and financial trails linked to the stolen funds. The operation involved creating email domains that mimicked those of executives, leading to fraudulent wire transfers.

Despite the progress, three key ringleaders remain wanted, and the investigation involved cooperation between the FBI, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's OFAC, Ghanaian authorities, and Nigeria's EFCC.