At least tTDen Nigerians have been indicted in a massive international email hacking and fraud scheme that defrauded more than 1,000 victims across 47 states in the United States and 19 countries, with losses totaling approximately $215 million.
The indicted Nigerians are among some 25 defendants recently arrested in $215 million international email fraud cases.
They are as follows:
- Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi
- Ayobami Osas Christopher, aka Lovely Man
- Emmauel Okereke, aka Omo Igboh
- Olalekan Bashiru, aka Ola Bash
- Casey Adesulu Jr.
- Jeremiah Agina
- Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo
- Ademola Balogun
- Olabode Bankole
- Chukwuemeka Evulukwu
Background
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has announced the conviction of 25 defendants in one of the largest cyber fraud cases prosecuted in recent years.
The international email hacking and fraud scheme defrauded more than 1,000 victims across 47 states and 19 countries, resulting in losses estimated at $215 million.
Jury Convictions
On April 24, 2026, following a four-day trial in Toledo, Ohio, a federal jury convicted three key defendants:
- Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, 40, of Romeoville, Illinois
- Aruan Drake, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia
- Peter Reed, 35, of Oak Forest, Illinois
All three were found guilty of Wire Fraud Conspiracy, while Awoyemi and Drake were additionally convicted of Money Laundering Conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp II presided over the trial.
These convictions add to a total of 25 individuals who have now been held accountable for their roles in the scheme.
Federal prosecutors described their convictions as a “business email compromise” operation of unprecedented scale.
How the Scheme Worked
The fraud was orchestrated by Nigerian-linked organizations that specialized in hacking email accounts belonging to individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Once inside, conspirators monitored communications to learn about business practices and contacts.
They then crafted fraudulent emails that mimicked legitimate requests for payment.
Victims, deceived by the authenticity of these messages, transferred funds to accounts controlled by the conspirators.
The stolen money was laundered through a complex web of shell companies, fraudulent bank accounts, and cash transfer systems, making detection difficult.
Laundering Operations
A significant portion of the stolen funds—approximately $50 million—was laundered through cashier’s checks at the New Dolton Currency Exchange in Chicago.
The exchange was operated by co-defendant Lon Goodman, who knowingly accepted fraudulent checks despite repeated warnings from banks.
Goodman facilitated transactions using false identifications and shell companies.
He also enabled conspirators to disguise their activities and continue the fraud.
Victims Across Ohio and Worldwide
Ohio was heavily impacted, with victims in Norwalk, Kent, Akron, Hudson, Maple Heights, Westfield Center, New Riegel, and Greenwich.
Nationwide, victims were identified in states including New York, California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, and many others.
International victims spanned Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Panama, Bermuda, and Romania, highlighting the global reach of the scheme.
Wire transfers ranged from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
In one instance, a victim business sent $2.7 million to a shell company account controlled by conspirators.
Seized Assets
Authorities seized or ordered forfeiture of assets linked to the fraud, including:
- Nearly $1.2 million in cashier’s checks, cryptocurrency, and cash
- Luxury watches such as a Richard Mille Felipe Massa valued at $140,000, a Patek Philippe Nautilus worth $45,000, and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak worth $30,000
- A 4,423-square-foot residence in Lawrenceville, Georgia
These seizures underscore the lavish lifestyles funded by the fraud and the determination of law enforcement to strip conspirators of their ill-gotten gains.
Additional Guilty Pleas
Beyond the three jury convictions, 22 other defendants pleaded guilty to charges of Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
They include Nigerian nationals, naturalized U.S. citizens, and associates across Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and Indiana.
Their guilty pleas reflect the breadth of the network and the coordinated nature of the fraud.
Each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors.
Such factors include prior criminal records, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
Sentences are expected to vary, reflecting the different levels of involvement in the conspiracy.
Investigations and Prosecution
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI Cleveland Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Border Patrol Sandusky Bay Intelligence Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Robert Melching led the prosecution, which federal officials praised as a model of inter-agency cooperation.
Statement from Authorities
Federal prosecutors hailed the convictions as a significant victory against cyber-enabled financial crime.
They emphasized that the case demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting businesses and individuals from sophisticated fraud schemes.
The authorities stated: “This case dismantled one of the largest email fraud operations in U.S. history.
“It sends a clear message that cybercriminals, no matter where they operate, will be pursued and prosecuted.”
The case highlights the growing threat of business email compromise schemes, which exploit trust in digital communications to siphon billions globally.
It underscores the need for vigilance among businesses and individuals, stronger cybersecurity practices, and international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
