The United States federal court has sentenced a 40-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, to eight years in prison for his involvement in hacking, wire fraud and identity theft schemes that targeted individuals and businesses.
Amachukwu, also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung, received the sentence from US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. He will serve one year of supervised release after completing his prison term.
The court also ordered him to pay $3,647,629.39 in restitution to victims and forfeit $10,846,634.39 in proceeds linked to the schemes.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Amachukwu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
https://x.com/FBI/status/2114794313569701900
Investigators reported that Amachukwu began targeting US-based tax preparation businesses around 2019, using spearphishing emails to gain unauthorized access to their systems. The operation exposed the personal identification information of more than 800 customers. He subsequently used the stolen information to file fraudulent federal and state tax returns seeking more than $8.4 million in refunds. The schemes generated approximately $2.5 million in successful payments.
Amachukwu also submitted fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the US Small Business Administration, obtaining more than $819,000. In a separate investment fraud scheme, he allegedly impersonated an overseas financier and promoted a bogus standby letter of credit investment arrangement. The operation defrauded victims of more than $7 million.
Notably, The case formed part of a wider investigation into cybercrime and financial fraud. US authorities reiterated that the schemes involved the theft and misuse of personal information and the exploitation of financial systems for illicit gains. The sentence thus follows the prosecution’s efforts to hold Amachukwu accountable for the financial losses suffered by victims of the fraudulent operations.
