Ray Hushpuppi who has been extradited to the USA now faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in a US federal prison for massive fra...
Ray Hushpuppi who has been extradited to the USA now faces
a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in a US federal prison for massive fraud.
Hushpuppi made his initial U.S. court appearance in
Chicago, and he is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in coming weeks.
In a statement released by the US Department of Justice,
the suspected Nigerian fraudster was accused of conspiring to launder hundreds
of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other
scams, including schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an
English Premier League soccer club.
"BEC schemes as often involving a computer hacker
gaining unauthorized access to a business’ email account, blocking or
redirecting communications to and/or from that email account, and then using
the compromised email account or a separate fraudulent email account to
communicate with personnel from a victim company and to attempt to trick them
into making an unauthorized wire transfer.
“BEC schemes are one
of the most difficult cybercrimes we encounter as they typically involve a
coordinated group of con artists scattered around the world who have experience
with computer hacking and exploiting the international financial system,” said
United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “This case targets a key player in a large,
transnational conspiracy who was living an opulent lifestyle in another country
while allegedly providing safe havens for stolen money around the world. As
this case demonstrates, my office will continue to hold such criminals
accountable, no matter where they live.
“In 2019 alone, the FBI recorded $1.7 billion in losses by
companies and individuals victimized through business email compromise scams,
the type of scheme Mr. Abbas is charged with conducting from abroad.
"Technology has essentially erased geographic
boundaries leaving trans-national criminal syndicates to believe that they are
beyond the reach of law enforcement. The success in this case was the direct
result of our trusted partnerships between the Department of Justice and our
federal law enforcement colleagues. These partnerships helped dismantle a
sophisticated organized crime group who preyed upon unsuspecting businesses. It
is thanks to these partnerships that the American people can feel a bit more secure
today.”
The suspected Nigerian fraudster also allegedly conspired
to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and
computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately
$124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club.
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