By John Ogunsemore

A 39-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung, has been extradited from France to face trial in the United States in connection with hacking, fraud, and identity theft offences to the tune of $3.3 million.

US Attorney, Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 5.

The US Attorney stated that Amachukwu, whose extradition was completed on Monday, appeared before US Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger on Tuesday.

Clayton said, “As alleged, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu took part in a scheme to hack into US tax businesses, trade in the stolen identifying information of victims, and defraud the IRS and other governmental bodies.

“Amachukwu also allegedly took part in a separate fraud scheme that promised his victims valuable investments that did not in fact exist. This Office and our law enforcement partners stand committed to protecting Americans from criminals operating here and offshore.”

Court records showed that from about 2019, Amachukwu, his co-conspirator Kinglsey Uchelue Utulu, and other Nigeria-based conspirators took part in a scheme to hack into US-based tax preparation businesses—including several US based businesses located in New York, Texas, and other states—by utilising spearphishing emails to obtain access to these business’s electronic systems.

Once they had obtained access, the conspirators stole the tax and other identifying information of the business’ customers.

The conspirators allegedly obtained the stolen identity information of thousands of individuals and used this information to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities.

Prosecutors said the conspirators sought fraudulent refunds of at least approximately $8.4 million, of which they successfully obtained at least approximately $2.5 million.
“In addition to filing fraudulent tax returns, the conspirators used the stolen identities to file fraudulent claims with the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The conspirators were able to obtain at least an additional approximately $819,000 in fraudulent payouts.

“Amachukwu is also charged with participating in a separate fraud scheme. In this scheme, the defendant offered victims investments in purportedly valuable standby letters of credit. However, these letters of credit did not exist, and AMACHUKWU pocketed millions of dollars of his victims’ money.

“Amachukwu was arrested in France at the request of the United States for his involvement in this scheme, and he was thereafter extradited to the US,” the statement reads in part.

He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; two counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison.

Clayton said Amachukwu’s case has been assigned to US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

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