39-year-old Chukwuemeka Victor extradited to US from France over hacking, fraud charges
A Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, 39, has been extradited from France to the United States to face charges of computer hacking, fraud, and identity theft, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
Amachukwu and his co-conspirators, based in Nigeria, are accused of hacking into U.S. tax preparation businesses, stealing customers’ personal information, and filing fraudulent tax returns. According to the Justice Department, they obtained at least $2.5 million in tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York stated that Amachukwu also allegedly “took part in a separate fraud scheme that promised his victims valuable investments that did not in fact exist.”
Furthermore, Amachukwu is accused of using stolen identities to file fraudulent claims with the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, securing an additional $819,000 in fraudulent payouts.
Amachukwu was arrested in France at the request of the U.S. and was extradited to New York on Monday. If convicted of the charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft, he could face decades in prison.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
