A United States District Court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to a combined 159 years in federal prison for their roles in a sophisticated $17 million internet fraud scheme that targeted hundreds of victims across multiple countries.

The convicted individuals — identified as Chukwudi Christogonus, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Ayotunde Odufuye, Azeez Oyebode, and Samuel Ogundele — were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, following a lengthy investigation by U.S. federal authorities.

According to court documents released on Monday, the group orchestrated a large-scale Business Email Compromise (BEC) operation, exploiting digital vulnerabilities to defraud individuals, corporations, and government agencies across the United States and beyond.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the defendants created fake email domains, impersonated legitimate businesses, and tricked unsuspecting victims into transferring large sums of money into bank accounts controlled by the syndicate.

“These sentences reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and send a clear message that cybercriminals, regardless of where they operate from, will face serious consequences,” the statement read.

Prosecutors revealed that over $17 million was lost to the fraud scheme, with funds funneled through a complex web of shell companies, cryptocurrency wallets, and foreign accounts to obscure their tracks.

The court also ordered the convicts to forfeit assets traced to the stolen funds, including luxury vehicles, real estate, and high-end electronics.

U.S. authorities credited international cooperation — particularly from Nigerian law enforcement agencies — for aiding the arrests and extraditions of the suspects over several years.

Cybersecurity analysts say the case underscores the growing global threat of transnational cyber fraud and the need for increased vigilance and regulatory frameworks, especially in developing countries.

As of press time, Nigerian officials had not publicly responded to the convictions.