CRIME

Invictus Obi Pleads Guilty To $11m Fraud In US

Published

6 months ago

June 19, 2020

Victor Okoroafor

Obinwanne Okeke, a Nigerian entrepreneur better known as Invictus Obi, has pleaded guilty to $11million fraud.

Invictus Obi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Dulles International Airport while leaving the US over $11 million internet fraud in 2019.

Invictus Obi, who appeared before a court in the eastern district of Virginia, admitted that he was involved in computer-based fraud between 2015 and 2019.

He earlier pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of internet fraud and was remanded in prison.

Robert J. Krask, the judge, accepted his plea.

“Okeke, 32, operated a group of companies known as the Invictus Group between 2015 and 2019, and was accused of fleecing unsuspecting victims of over $11 million,” the court documents 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 totalling nearly $11 million, funds which were transferred overseas.

“Okeke pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.”

The accused will be sentenced on October 22 and could spend 20 years maximum in an American jail.

The Nigerian was once listed by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans.