December 12, 2024
By Adedoja Adesoji
Three Nigerian nationals, suspected to be of Igbo ethnicity – Augustine Chibuzo Onyeachonam, 30, Stanley Asiegbu, 37, and Chukwuebuka Nweke-Eze, 29 – have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a large-scale internet-enabled investment fraud scheme, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
The defendants were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, identity theft conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft.
They allegedly impersonated licensed FINRA representatives, spoofed their websites, and misappropriated the seal of the SEC to carry out their fraud.
“These defendants not only defrauded dozens of victims out of millions of dollars of their hard-earned money, but they also impersonated licensed FINRA representatives, spoofed their websites, and misappropriated the seal of the SEC to carry out their fraud,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
“My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue these kinds of scammers no matter where in the world they are and seek justice for their victims.”
The indictment alleges that the defendants orchestrated an internet-enabled fraud scheme that targeted victims throughout the United States, including in the District of New Jersey.
They allegedly used stolen identities to solicit investments from members of the public through fraudulent public-facing websites.
The defendants face significant prison time and fines if convicted.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed a civil complaint against the defendants based on the same conduct.
