Authorities in the United Kingdom have arrested a Nigerian man, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, who is wanted in the United States over an alleged cyber fraud scheme that cost an American university over $235,000. His arrest follows an extradition request from U.S. prosecutors.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Adepoju is accused of hacking into the email system of a construction contractor handling a project for the university. Investigators said he created a fake domain and used it to impersonate company staff, altering payment details so that the school’s funds were diverted into an account he controlled.
The scheme, which occurred between March and April 2023, allegedly resulted in the transfer of about $235,266, money that has yet to be recovered. The U.S. government has since filed a seven-count indictment against him in Pennsylvania.
Adepoju faces six counts of wire fraud, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as one count of computer fraud which attracts up to five years. If convicted, he could spend decades behind bars.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh office led the investigation with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs. U.S. officials said the case highlights their resolve to track and prosecute cybercriminals across borders.
