A Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, has been extradited to the United States (U.S.) from France to face charges linked to hacking, identity theft, and fraud schemes that allegedly brought in over $3.3 million.
According to U.S. authorities, Amachukwu, also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung, was part of a group that hacked into tax preparation businesses in New York, Texas, and other U.S. states using spearphishing emails.
The group then allegedly stole the personal data of thousands of customers.
They used the stolen identities to file fake tax returns, seeking at least $8.4 million in refunds from the IRS and state tax offices.
The scheme successfully raked in about $2.5 million. Authorities say they also filed fraudulent claims under the Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 loan program and received an additional $819,000.
Amachukwu is also accused of running a separate scam where he promised victims investment opportunities in non-existent standby letters of credit.
He allegedly made off with millions of dollars through this fake investment scheme.
He was arrested in France at the request of the United States and appeared before a magistrate judge in New York following his extradition. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
Amachukwu, 39, faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
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