A Nigerian man residing in France, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, has been extradited to the United States to face multiple charges related to a high-level cybercrime scheme that allegedly defrauded individuals and U.S. government agencies of more than $819,000.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that Amachukwu, who also goes by the aliases “Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo” and “So Kwan Leung,” was extradited from France on Monday and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in New York on Tuesday.
The indictment, unveiled by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge, Christopher G. Raia, outlines a series of cyber fraud operations involving identity theft, computer intrusions, wire fraud, and a fake investment scheme.
Amachukwu, 39, is accused of working with co-conspirators, including Kinglsey Uchelue Utulu and others based in Nigeria, to hack into tax preparation firms across multiple U.S. states, including New York and Texas. Using spearphishing emails, they allegedly gained unauthorized access to business systems, stealing customers’ tax and personal data.
Prosecutors say the stolen information was used to file fraudulent tax returns, seeking approximately $8.4 million in refunds. The group reportedly succeeded in obtaining at least $2.5 million. Additionally, they used stolen identities to fraudulently secure $819,000 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
In a separate scheme, Amachukwu allegedly duped victims by offering fake investments in standby letters of credit — financial instruments that did not exist. He allegedly siphoned millions from unsuspecting investors through this scam.
Amachukwu is facing the following charges:
- One count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions (up to 5 years imprisonment)
- Two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (each carrying up to 20 years)
- Two counts of wire fraud (each also carrying up to 20 years)
- One count of aggravated identity theft (mandatory 2-year sentence)
If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 47 years in federal prison.
U.S. authorities commended the collaborative international effort that led to Amachukwu’s arrest and extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, and the French National Gendarmerie were instrumental in the operation.
“This case underscores our commitment to holding cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they operate from,” said Attorney Clayton. “Those who think they can target Americans from overseas should know they are not beyond the reach of U.S. law.”
The prosecution is being managed by the U.S. Attorney’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Nessim leading the case.
Amachukwu remains in U.S. custody as the legal proceedings continue before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
