US court sentences Obinwanne “Invictus Obi” Okeke to 10 years in prison

Convicted international fraudster, Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud.

The Nigerian national was sentenced by Chief District Judge, Rebecca Smith, after he was convicted for involvement in a computer-based intrusion fraud scheme that caused approximately $11m in known losses to his victims, according to the judge.

“Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million in losses to his victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

“Today’s sentence further demonstrates EDVA’s and FBI’s worldwide reach in vigorously pursuing justice on behalf of American victims and others and holding international cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes.” Parekh added

Obinwanne Okeke, 33, operated a group of companies known as the Invictus Group based in Nigeria and abroad.

He was listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 category for his business exploits and wealth.

From 2015 to 2019, Okeke and others engaged in a conspiracy to conduct various computer-based frauds. The conspirators obtained and compiled the credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Virginia.

As part of the scheme, Okeke and other conspirators engaged in an email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industrial and farm equipment.

In April 2018, one 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 victimise Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11m which was transferred overseas.

Additionally, Okeke engaged in other forms of cyberfraud, including sending phishing emails to capture email credentials, creating fraudulent web pages, and causing other losses to numerous victims.

Speaking after the sentencing, Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, said, “The FBI will not allow cyber criminals free reign in the digital world to prey on U.S. companies.”

He added: “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners at the Department of Justice and our foreign counterparts to locate cyber criminals across the globe and bring them to the United States to be held accountable.”