Two Nigerians residing in the United States, Solomon Aluko and Nosakhare Nobore, along with four others, face up to 62 years in prison after being arraigned before a New York court for defrauding the US government of $50 million.
According to court documents from the US Department of Justice, the suspects ran a multi-year cheque fraud scheme, using stolen identities and fraudulent businesses to access government funds. They allegedly attempted to steal $80 million, successfully depositing $50 million into accounts they controlled.
The group reportedly used a Telegram group and a ‘fraud bible’ to coordinate their activities.
US authorities, including the FBI and IRS, have vowed to hold the suspects accountable, emphasizing that they exploited programs meant for struggling businesses, seniors, and veterans.
The defendants are facing multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, each carrying significant prison terms.
