Olayiwola Matthew
A Nigerian man living in France, Chukwuemeka Amachukwu, has been handed over to the United States to answer charges related to computer hacking, fraud, and identity theft.
The 39-year-old was arrested in France and transferred to New York on Monday following a request by the United States.
According to the US Justice Department on Tuesday, Chukwuemeka and accomplices based in Nigeria allegedly breached US tax preparation businesses, accessed customers’ personal data, and submitted fraudulent tax returns.
They reportedly secured at least $2.5 million in tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, the department said in a press release.
“Amachukwu also allegedly took part in a separate fraud scheme that promised his victims valuable investments that did not in fact exist,” stated US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York.
Besides those activities, Amachukwu is also accused of using stolen identities to submit fake claims under the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, fraudulently obtaining another $819,000, the department added.
If found guilty of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft, he could face many years in prison.
AFP