US court hands 10-year jail sentence to Invictus Obi

An American court has sentenced Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, to a 10-year jail term for fraud.

An American court has sentenced Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, to a 10-year jail term for fraud.

Okeke, who was arrested for computer and wire fraud, had pleaded guilty to a charge on $11 million illegal deal he was involved in between 2015 and 2019.

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After passing the judgement, the US attorney for the Eastern district of Virginia, Raj Parekh, said: “Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million in losses to his victims

“Today’s sentence further demonstrates EDVA’s and FBI’s worldwide reach in vigorously pursuing justice on behalf of American victims and others and holding international cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes.”

Obi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Dulles International Airport while attempting to leave the US in 2019.

He appeared before a court in the eastern district of Virginia, admitting that he was involved in computer-based fraud between 2015 and 2019.

The 33-year old, who is also a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, is the founder of the Invictus Group of companies.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he holds a degree in International Studies and Forensic Criminology and Masters of International Relations and Counter-Terrorism Studies from the Monash University in Australia.

Another popular Nigerian figure whose case is similar to that of Invictus Obi is Ramoni Igbalode popularly known as Hushpuppi.

In 2020, the International Police (Interpol) and the FBI arrested Hushpuppi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over high-level fraud, money-laundering and cyber-crimes.