PORTLAND, Ore. — Two Nigerian nationals have been indicted in federal court, charged with attempting to steal $25 million from nearly two dozen public and private organizations in the United States, including Portland Public Schools, Oregon's largest school district.

Federal investigators with the US Attorney's Office District of Oregon announced 35-year-old Efeturi Ariawhorai, also known as Efeturi Simeon, and 41-year-old Ikenna Nwajiaku have been charged in an 11-count indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Ariawhorai and Nwajiaku are still both fugitives and are not in law enforcement custody, investigators said. Ariawhorai was arrested in Italy by Italian authorities on November 25, 2021, and the United States made a formal request for his extradition, but he fled house arrest prior to his transfer to Oregon.

Ariawhorai is a dual citizen of Nigeria and Vanuatu who most recently lived in the United Arab Emirates and Nwajiaku is believed to be living in or near Lagos, Nigeria.

Portland Public Schools (PPS) officials confirmed with KATU that they were victims in the case.

In August 2019, the district said it was able to recover $2.9 million in district funds that were fraudulently transferred to a separate account, that had been disguised as a PPS construction contractor.


The banks were notified with enough time to freeze the funds, which allowed the district to recover the sum, PPS officials explained.

According to the federal indictment, the scheme by Ariawhorai and Nwajiaku would include contacting organizations by email, impersonating employees of the targeted organization or professionals from other entities doing business with the target organization, and convince the organizations to send payments to bank accounts controlled by third parties acting on Ariawhorai and Nwajiaku’s behalf.


The indictment alleges this scheme took place beginning in June 2019 and continuing until January 2021.

“The level of greed it takes to steal from schools and hospitals, especially during the height of a global pandemic, is beyond disturbing,” Special Agent in Charge Kieran L. Ramsey said in a statement. “Through quick action from many of these victims the FBI, with our Recovery Asset Team, was able to freeze funds and return a majority of the stolen money. In fact, we were able to recover the total loss of nearly $3 million for a victim in Oregon and keep that money out of the hands of criminals. If you are the victim of a cyber intrusion or fraud scheme please reach out to the FBI as soon as possible, we are here to help.”


Federal investigators said during that time period, Ariawhorai and Nwajiaku attempted to defraud 20 victim organizations out of approximately $25.2 million total. 15 of the victim organizations lost a combined $6.2 million as a result of the scheme

The combined charges are punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release, federal law enforcement officials said. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by up to two years in federal prison and one year of supervised release per count of conviction.

https://katu.com/news/local/two-nigerian-nationals-indicted-portland-public-schools

LeoDeKing aka Tinubu slave 2 oya food don land o

LeoDeKing:
Ikenna Nwajiaku

Their legs strong pass buhari whole body

Na my people again, abeg make una rest na.

Downgrading everyday

LeoDeKing:
Ikenna Nwajiaku

Ndi ala

IPOB terrorists and AFONJA skull miners at work in yankee

Very hardworking boys...and I bet the Eagle took its share from them already

derecho:
LeoDeKing aka Tinubu slave 2 oya food don land o

UGM don boil ya mama towtow?

PerfectStranger:

Ndi ala

Umu nkita

Vanuatu is this a name of a person, animal, place or thing

Nawa ooh some country names sha go make you weak

Na Dem, awon oloriburuku mansafani