US Government Names 5 Nigerian Cyber Fraudsters Awaiting Deportation, Including Ex-Forbes Honoree
The United States Government has released the identities of five notorious Nigerian cyber fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys,” who have been marked for deportation.
One of those on the list was once celebrated on the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list before his fall led to arrest and conviction by US authorities.
The five Nigerians will face deportation after completing their prison terms.
*DHS Publishes “Worst of the Worst” List*
The Department of Homeland Security, DHS, has updated its public register of convicted online fraudsters slated for deportation.
Among 124 Nigerians flagged on the portal are five well-known cyber criminals whose identities, photographs, and criminal profiles have been officially published.
The database, called the “Worst of the Worst” (WOW) portal, highlights non-citizens convicted of major federal crimes who have been prioritized for deportation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE.
Below are the five popular Nigerian fraudsters now awaiting deportation:
*1. Obinwanne Okeke, aka “Invictus Obi”*
The most prominent name on the list. In 2016, Okeke made the Forbes “30 Under 30 Africa” list as one of the continent’s most promising entrepreneurs.
His downfall came in 2019 when the FBI arrested him for masterminding an $11 million Business Email Compromise, BEC, scheme. His group hacked the email systems of Unatrac Holding Limited, a heavy equipment supplier, to divert payments.
Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in a US federal prison in 2021. After his release, he was transferred to ICE custody and placed on the priority deportation list.
*2. Oriyomi Aloba*
Aloba carried out one of the most unusual attacks on the list by targeting the US justice system. He hacked the Los Angeles Superior Court computer system and used it to send over 2 million phishing emails to steal credit card details and personal data.
In 2019, he was sentenced to 145 months, about 12 years, in federal prison. He is now listed on the DHS portal for deportation to Nigeria.
*3. Chibundu Anuebunwa*
Anuebunwa specialized in corporate impersonation. He was a key member of a transnational fraud ring that ran a $2.5 million BEC scheme. The group spoofed executive emails to trick companies worldwide into making fraudulent wire transfers.
He was sentenced to 66 months, 5.5 years, in federal prison in 2023. His profile and photo are now active on the US deportation registry.
*4. Quazeem Adeyinka*
Adeyinka was part of a team that exploited US government emergency funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. He participated in a wire fraud conspiracy using stolen identities to file fake claims for unemployment benefits.
The scheme siphoned over $2.2 million from US taxpayer-funded relief programs.
He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and has been marked on the priority list for deportation.
*5. Olaolu Alabi*
Alabi used proceeds from pandemic relief fraud and corporate scams to fund a lavish lifestyle. Operating from Owings Mills, Maryland, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
He defrauded individuals and businesses of over $500,000, part of which he spent on a luxury trip to Hawaii.
He was sentenced to 66 months, 5.5 years, in federal prison and is now awaiting repatriation to Nigeria on the DHS list.
*What Happens Next*
While the US Government has published their names and photographs, DHS has not released specific deportation dates. Under US law, each individual will be processed for deportation after completing their prison sentence or exhausting legal options.