By Desire Emmanuel
A Nigerian, James Junior Aliyu, has been sentenced to 90 months imprisonment by a court in the United States after he was found guilty of internet fraud and money laundering.
According to the United States Immigration and Customs in a statement on its X handle on Saturday, March 21, Aliyu was sentenced to 90 months imprisonment by US District Judge, Deborah Boardman following his role in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy after hacking business email servers.
It was gathered that the Nigerian national was extradited from South Africa where he was hiding to face justice and the extradition was carried out by US homeland special security agents based in Maryland and South Africa.
After his sentencing, he was slapped with a $1.2 million forfeiture order and a $2.4 million restitution order. He will also be removed from the United States and deported to Nigeria when he completes his sentence.
Investigation into his fraudulent activities was carried out by special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with teams in Maryland and South Africa working together as part of an international effort.
Officials described the case as a successful example of cross-border collaboration in tackling cybercrime and financial fraud.
