A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Saheed Sunday Owolabi, has been convicted by a federal jury in Wilmington, North Carolina on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering tied to multiple cyber fraud schemes targeting individuals and businesses across the United States.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Owolabi participated in a coordinated network that carried out romance scams, business email compromise (BEC) schemes, and online financial fraud, leading to significant losses for victims. The jury found that he played a key role in receiving, transferring, and concealing fraud proceeds through complex money-moving channels.
With the conviction now secured, Owolabi faces up to 40 years in federal prison when sentencing is concluded.
The U.S. Department of Justice noted that the case underscores ongoing efforts to combat international cybercrime networks exploiting digital platforms for fraudulent activity.
Sentencing is expected in the coming months.