Nigerian Faces 30 Years for $300,000 Fraud Scheme

Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, a 45-year-old Nigerian residing in Frisco, Texas, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged involvement in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme that defrauded a United States government agency of more than $300,000. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment on Wednesday, detailing charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.

Udugba and his accomplices reportedly used social media and dating websites to establish fake romantic relationships with victims across multiple states, who were then used as money mules to receive and cash fraudulent checks. The scheme involved spoofed emails from Nigeria impersonating officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, directing payments for fabricated invoices.

If convicted, Udugba faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment, along with supervised release and fines. The indictment is an allegation, and all charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.