Invictus Obi Pleads Guilty to $11 million Wire Fraud in US
Nigerian celebrated Forbes’ under 30 Africa’s most promising entrepreneur, Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi has pleaded guilty to $11 million wire fraud on Thursday, according to Premium Times.
According to the report, the 32 years old appeared before Judge Robert Krask, on counts bordering on fraud, forgery, among others on Thursday.
Mr. Okeke, therefore, pleaded guilty after months of legal tussle.
The statement read, “The conspirators obtained and compiled the credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere.
“As part of the scheme, Okeke and others engaged in an email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industrial and farm equipment.
“In April 2018, a Unatrac executive fell prey to a phishing email that allowed conspirators to capture login credentials. The conspirators sent fraudulent wire transfer requests and attached fake invoices.
“Okeke participated in the effort to victimize Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11 million, funds which were transferred overseas.
“Okeke pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.”
Joshua Stueve, a spokesperson for the United States District Court for Eastern District of Virginia, quoted by the report, said Invictus Obi could spend up to 20 years in American jail despite his plead arrangement.
It would be recalled that in August Investors King had reported the arrest of Invictus Obi by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with an $11 million wire transfer just three years after Okeke became a continental sensation and mentor to several Nigerian youths.
Since his arrest in 2019, FBI, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Interpol police have arrested several other high profile cybercriminals, including the recent arrest of Hushpuppi in Dubai.
