James Junior Aliyu, a Nigerian national extradited from South Africa, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering as part of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
Aliyu is the last of three defendants charged in the conspiracy, following eight others who had earlier pleaded guilty in Maryland in related cases.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 24, 2019, charging Aliyu alongside Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the plea alongside Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.
According to the plea agreement, Aliyu and his co-conspirators gained access to victims’ emails and sent spoofed messages containing false wiring instructions. Between February and July 2017, they laundered the proceeds through multiple accounts to conceal ownership.
The intended loss tied to Aliyu’s role was over $4.1 million, with actual losses of at least $1.57 million. Aliyu directly controlled approximately $1.19 million, which he will forfeit, and he is ordered to pay at least $2.3 million in restitution.
He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 24 before U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman.
Hayes praised HSI’s Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, South African authorities, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and Canada’s International Assistance Group for their cooperation in the investigation.
