The United States Department of Homeland Security has published the identities of five Nigerian cyber fraudsters marked for deportation, after they complete their prison sentences in the US.
The names appeared on the DHS “Worst of the Worst” portal, a public register used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, to track non-citizens convicted of serious federal crimes who are prioritized for removal.
Among the 124 Nigerians currently listed, these five cases drew attention because of the scale of the fraud, the high-profile targets, and in one case, a prior appearance on a global business
In 2016, Okeke was named to Forbes “30 Under 30 Africa” for his work in investment and entrepreneurship. US prosecutors later alleged that the public image masked a large-scale cyber fraud operation.
According to court filings, Okeke led a Business Email Compromise, BEC, scheme that targeted Unatrac Holding Limited, a supplier of heavy machinery. His group allegedly hacked company email systems and diverted payments totaling about $11 million to accounts they controlled.
Okeke was arrested by the FBI in 2019 and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2021. After serving his sentence, he was transferred to ICE custody and placed on the priority deportation list. His photo and conviction details are now published on the DHS portal
Prosecutors said Aloba gained unauthorized access to the Los Angeles Superior Court computer network. He then used the court’s servers to send more than 2 million phishing emails. The messages were designed to trick recipients into submitting credit card information and personal identity data.
In 2019, a US federal court sentenced Aloba to 145 months in prison, just over 12 years. With his prison term completed, he has been added to the DHS deportation registry for return to Nigeria
The group ran a $2.5 million BEC operation. They spoofed executive email accounts and sent instructions to finance teams at companies around the world, tricking them into making wire transfers to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
Anuebunwa was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison in 2023, equivalent to 5.5 years. His profile and photograph are now active on the ICE “Worst of the Worst” list pending deportation proceedings.
During the COVID-19 crisis, US states distributed emergency unemployment benefits. Prosecutors said Adeyinka was part of a conspiracy that used stolen personal information to file fraudulent claims for those benefits.
The scheme allegedly siphoned more than $2.2 million from taxpayer-funded relief programs. Adeyinka received a 26-month federal prison sentence. He is now listed for deportation once immigration processing is complete.
Operating from Owings Mills, Maryland, Alabi and associates used stolen identities to file for pandemic relief payments and to defraud individuals and businesses. The total loss was estimated at over $1.5 millioncourt records stated that Alabi personally obtained at least $500,000. Prosecutors noted that some of the funds were used to finance a luxury trip to Hawaii
Under US immigration law, deportation for non-citizens convicted of crimes typically begins after they finish their prison terms or after all appeals are exhausted. ICE then coordinates travel documents with the relevant embassy before removal.
The “Worst of the Worst” portal is updated regularly. It currently lists 124 Nigerians among hundreds of other nationals flagged for serious convictions including fraud, drug trafficking, and violent offenses.business Email Compromise and identity theft schemes linked to Nigeria have been a focus for US law enforcement for years. The FBI estimates that BEC scams cost US companies and individuals billions of dollars annually.
The inclusion of a former Forbes-listed entrepreneur in this group has also drawn attention to how fraud networks can use legitimate business structures to conceal illicit activity.nigerian authorities have said they will receive deported citizens in line with bilateral agreements, and will monitor them upon return
