Connect with us

Crime

Nigerian Hacker Kingsley Utulu jailed in US for $2.5M Fraud

Published

on

372 Views

A United States federal high court has sentenced a 38-year-old Nigerian, Kingsley Utulu, to five years and three months in prison for orchestrating a major identity theft and wire fraud scheme that defrauded the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and private citizens of over $2.5 million.

According to reports, the conviction was announced by Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director in New York. Utulu was charged with aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to Clayton, Utulu and his co-conspirators hacked into U.S.-based tax preparation services, stole personal information, and used it to file fraudulent tax returns and extract funds.

The FBI stressed that geography offers no protection for cybercriminals, reaffirming its global reach in tackling fraud.

Utulu was arrested in the United Kingdom and later extradited to the United States.

Along with his sentence, he was ordered to pay $3.68 million in restitution and forfeit $290,250 in proceeds from the crime.

His sentencing follows the recent convictions of two other Nigerians—Abel Daramola and Olutayo Ogunlaja—linked to an international romance scam that stole over $560,000. Both face up to 20 years in federal prison.

This wave of convictions highlights growing scrutiny and action against transnational cybercrime rings involving Nigerian nationals and other foreign actors targeting U.S. citizens and institutions.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Ebonyi Gov. Sacks Political Appointees, Dethrones Traditional Rulers Over Deadly Communal Clash

Published

on

3 Views

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has taken decisive action against leaders of Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area following a brutal attack on neighboring Okporojo Community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area.

The governor announced the immediate suspension and sacking of all political appointees from Amasiri including commissioners, management committee members, and other officials serving in his administration as well as the withdrawal of certificates of recognition from traditional rulers, the dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executives, and the removal of all village heads.

The measures were declared during Nwifuru’s visit to the devastated Okporojo Community on Sunday, where he was accompanied by security chiefs. He described the violence as “barbaric” and “pushed me to the wall,” vowing that perpetrators would be arrested and prosecuted.

The attack, which occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026, left at least four people dead, including several who were beheaded, with reports of an elderly woman among the victims and others missing or abducted.

Several houses were set ablaze, displacing families and leaving the community in mourning. Survivors, including one woman who was shot at twice but escaped, recounted the horror of the assault.

Authorities have linked the killings to a long-standing land dispute between the two neighboring communities, a conflict that has simmered for decades and periodically erupted into violence, claiming lives and destroying property.

During his visit, grieving families wept openly, pleading for justice and an end to the cycle of bloodshed.

Residents of Okporojo called on the state government to enforce lasting peace and prevent further attacks.Governor Nwifuru assured the affected community of full support and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations to bring those responsible to book.

The incident has heightened tensions in the area, with calls from locals for stronger intervention to resolve the underlying boundary and land issues once and for all.

Watch the video below:

Continue Reading

Crime

Nigerian Military Confirms Coup Plot Allegations: 16 Officers to Face Court-Martial

Published

on

51 Views

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that investigations into the conduct of 16 military officers arrested in October 2025 have been completed, with some found to have allegedly plotted to overthrow the government.

In a press release issued today, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) stated that the officers were initially detained over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

Following a thorough investigation conducted in line with established military procedures, the probe uncovered evidence linking a number of the officers to a plot against the government—an action deemed inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of AFN personnel.

“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the statement read. The comprehensive report has now been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority for further action.

Those implicated and found to have cases to answer will be formally arraigned before a special military judicial panel, where they will face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations.

The DHQ emphasized that this process upholds accountability while maintaining the integrity of military discipline.

The arrests were first announced by the Defence Headquarters in October 2025, initially described in neutral terms as related to indiscipline. Today’s update marks the first official confirmation from the military that the matter involved an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The AFN reiterated its commitment to professionalism and adherence to constitutional order, assuring the public that the judicial proceedings will be conducted transparently and in full compliance with military law.

No further details on the identities of the officers or specific timelines for the trials were provided in the statement.

Continue Reading

Crime

DSS Arrests Suspected Sea Pirates, Foils Planned Hijack of Crude Oil Vessel

Published

on

54 Views

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested several suspected sea pirates in a swift operation that successfully thwarted a planned hijack of a crude oil vessel off the Nigerian coast.

According to security sources, the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence that indicated an imminent attack on the vessel transporting crude oil.

The operation, carried out by DSS operatives in collaboration with other security agencies, prevented what could have been a major maritime incident in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The arrested individuals are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to uncover possible accomplices, sponsors, and details of the foiled plot. Authorities have not yet released the exact number of suspects or their identities, citing ongoing investigations.

This latest crackdown highlights the persistent threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, where armed groups target oil vessels for ransom, theft of cargo, or both.

The DSS emphasized its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime economy and critical energy infrastructure.

No injuries or damage to the vessel were reported, and normal operations have resumed.

Continue Reading

Trending