A Nigerian national has been extradited to the United States from France to face federal charges linked to a series of cyber-enabled fraud schemes that allegedly stole millions from the U.S. government and private victims.
Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, 39, also known by the aliases “Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo” and “So Kwan Leung,” was transferred to U.S. custody following a coordinated international effort involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and French law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia announced the extradition on Tuesday. Amachukwu appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger shortly after his arrival in New York. His case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
According to federal prosecutors, Amachukwu and a network of co-conspirators—many believed to be operating out of Nigeria—launched a hacking campaign targeting U.S.-based tax preparation firms beginning in 2019.
Using spearphishing emails, the group allegedly infiltrated the firms’ systems and stole sensitive tax and identity information belonging to thousands of clients. The stolen data was then used to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax authorities.
Prosecutors say the group sought more than $8.4 million in bogus tax refunds and successfully obtained at least $2.5 million.
In a separate scheme, Amachukwu and his associates allegedly exploited the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program—established to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic—by submitting fraudulent applications using stolen identities.
The group is accused of collecting approximately $819,000 in EIDL payouts under false pretenses.
Authorities further allege that Amachukwu orchestrated a fraudulent investment scheme involving fake standby letters of credit. Promising victims large returns, he is accused of diverting funds for personal use, defrauding investors of millions of dollars.
Amachukwu faces multiple charges, including: One count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions (maximum 5 years), two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (up to 20 years each), two counts of wire fraud (up to 20 years each), and one count of aggravated identity theft (mandatory 2-year consecutive sentence).
“If you are attempting to enrich yourself by scamming Americans from behind a keyboard, the FBI is willing and able to bring you to the United States to face justice,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia in a statement.
The case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Nessim.
Authorities emphasized that all charges remain allegations, and Amachukwu is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
