Two Nigerian men have been handed a combined 15 years and nine months in federal prison in the United States after prosecutors linked them to a cyber-fraud conspiracy that diverted more than $2.4 million in two wire transfers and targeted victims across the country.
Odimegwu received a 111-month sentence, equivalent to nine years and three months, while Mogaji was sentenced to 78 months, or six years and six months, following their convictions in the United States.
The two men were also ordered to pay a combined $1.36 million in restitution, with Odimegwu liable for $366,617.59 and Mogaji ordered to pay $995,680.45.
The case, announced by US Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa, involved fraudulent payments allegedly redirected into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy in the United States and other countries.
According to federal prosecutors, one of the major transactions involved more than $1.68 million that a victim in Iowa City, Iowa, intended to send by wire transfer but was allegedly diverted to a Chicago account controlled by the conspirators.
A second transfer, involving more than $720,000 from a victim in Ohio, was also allegedly redirected to an account controlled by the group.
The Justice Department said the two transactions, totalling more than $2.4 million, represented only part of a broader operation that targeted businesses in Iowa and other parts of the United States.
One of the Ohio transactions involved almost $722,000 meant for a contractor working on a new fire station for the City of Athens.
Local authorities said the city later recovered $205,000 from the receiving account, while a further $200,000 was obtained through insurance.
Investigators said the alleged operation also involved the theft and exchange of sensitive financial information.
Evidence presented during sentencing showed that Odimegwu and Mogaji allegedly obtained victims’ bank account numbers, personal identification numbers, credit card details and other financial information.
A nonprofit organisation in Pella, Iowa, was among those allegedly targeted, with prosecutors saying the defendants obtained its credit card information.
The pair were also accused of purchasing additional stolen financial information from other members of the conspiracy before exchanging the data between themselves.
Prosecutors said the stolen information was subsequently used in attempts to conduct unauthorised financial transactions and make purchases without the victims’ knowledge.
The investigation traced the conspiracy to victims in Iowa and other parts of the United States, with participants allegedly operating both within and outside the country.
Following their sentencing, both defendants were taken into custody and are expected to serve three years of supervised release after completing their federal prison terms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant US Attorney Joseph Lubben handled the prosecution.
FBI Omaha Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said the case illustrated how cybercriminals can target organisations and individuals across different sectors, urging businesses and individuals to strengthen their digital security.
He said the FBI would continue deploying resources against cyber intrusion schemes targeting businesses and nonprofit organisations, stressing that organisations and devices remain vulnerable to cyber threats.
The Justice Department said the prosecution came amid the work of its National Fraud Enforcement Division, established on April 7, 2026, to investigate and prosecute fraud against Americans.
