Nigerian Arrested in UK Over $235,000 Wire Fraud Case
A Nigerian man, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, has been arrested in the United Kingdom following a request from the United States government.
According to the US Department of Justice (DoJ), Adepoju was indicted on multiple charges of wire fraud and computer fraud after allegedly hacking into the systems of a Pennsylvania construction company and diverting payments meant for a university project.
Details of the Cybercrime Indictment
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The indictment, unsealed on September 18, 2025, alleges that between March and April 2023, Adepoju:
Gained unauthorized access to a construction company’s protected computer system.
Altered email rules and created a spoofed domain to impersonate company staff.
Sent fraudulent payment instructions to a university client.
Amount Stolen
As a result, the university unknowingly updated the company’s payment details to Adepoju’s fraudulent account, transferring $235,266 (₦363 million).
The stolen funds have not been recovered, according to prosecutors.
US Authorities Respond
Prosecutors’ Statement
Acting US Attorney Troy Rivetti said Adepoju used “sophisticated cyber means” to victimize a business and university, but was still tracked down with the help of international law enforcement.
“His arrest in the United Kingdom underscores our district’s unwavering commitment to aggressively locate and prosecute cybercriminals worldwide,” Rivetti stated.
FBI’s Warning
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge, Kevin Rojek, warned that cybercriminals cannot hide from justice:
“We will find you and bring you to justice, no matter where you might be. Email compromise schemes are not victimless crimes—they are one of the costliest threats facing businesses and institutions today.”
Charges and Possible Sentence
Adepoju faces:
Six counts of wire fraud (maximum 20 years each).
One count of computer fraud (maximum 5 years).
If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 125 years in prison.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office led the investigation, while Assistant US Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is handling prosecution with support from the DoJ Office of International Affairs.
Authorities stressed that an indictment is only an accusation, and Adepoju remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
