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Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Participating In Business Email Compromise Scams Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Participating In Business Email Compromise Scams

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHIBUNDU JOSEPH ANUEBUNWA, a citizen of Nigeria who was previously extradited from the United Kingdom, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with his participation in fraudulent business email compromise scams that targeted thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. In connection with the same conspiracy as ANUEBUNWA, co-defendant DAVID CHUKWUNEKE ADINDU was previously sentenced to 41 months in prison, and co-defendant ONYEKACHI EMMANUEL OPARA was previously extradited from South Africa and sentenced to 60 months in prison. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he has now admitted, Chibundu Joseph Anuebunwa participated in a conspiracy to trick thousands of business employees located all around the world into wiring millions of dollars to overseas bank accounts by sending bogus emails that appeared to be legitimate. This case should serve as a reminder to cyber criminals located around the globe that we will track them down and hold them responsible.” According to publicly filed court documents and statements made at public court proceedings: Between 2014 and 2016, ANUEBUNWA, OPARA, and ADINDU participated in business email compromise scams (“BEC scams”) targeting thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. As part of the BEC scams, emails were sent to employees of various companies directing that funds be transferred to specified bank accounts. The emails purported to be from supervisors at those companies or third-party vendors that did business with those companies. The emails, however, were not legitimate. Rather, they were either from email accounts with a domain name that was very similar to a legitimate domain name, or the metadata in the emails had been modified so that the emails appeared as if they were from legitimate email addresses. After victims complied with the fraudulent wiring instructions, the transferred funds were quickly withdrawn or moved into different bank accounts. In total, the BEC scams attempted to defraud the victims of millions of dollars. ANUEBUNWA and others carried out BEC scams by exchanging information regarding: (i) bank accounts used for receiving funds from victims; (ii) email accounts used for communicating with victims; (iii) scripts for requesting wire transfers from victims; and (iv) lists of names and email addresses for contacting and impersonating potential victims. * * * ANUEBUNWA, 40, a citizen of Nigeria, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. ANUEBUNWA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on October 2, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked United Kingdom authorities and the Yahoo E-Crime Investigations Team for their assistance in the investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the United Kingdom. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew K. Chan is in charge of the prosecution.

Source-FBI

Parents and guardians in Nigeria have been advised to expose their children and wards to very good upbringing to aid their positive development.

This advice was given on Thursday by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi at the maiden edition of an event tagged Nations Rhythm Festival at the Alliance Francaise center, Ibadan, Nigeria.

''Only parents who are wise will bring up their children very well. Your parents should give you a good experience for your development. Parents and guardians must bring up their children in the way of culture, in this lost world'', Dr. Awosanmi satd.

In his remarks, the founder and artistic director, Mr. Olalekan Adedokun explained that the festival was organized to teach all that is, to learn about drums. Mr. Adedokun maintained that drums were also relevant in assuaging health conditions, while also stressing that they were a tool that created joy and happiness.''

Impacting Positively on the Younger Generation

Parents and guardians in Olorunsogo, Molete, Molusi, Onafuwa Solanke, Oyegbami , oshodi, Scout camp, Aluko, Felele and several other communities in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria now openly identify with their children who are deeply involved in immorality, lawlessness and criminalty. This unfortunate development paints the major purpose of education in a very bad light and suggests that the leadership at all levels are leading by example. Interestingly, Those-in-charge have failed to impact positively on the lives of the younger generation.

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We must pay the wage for our sin. If you continue to sin, you will pay the penalty of spiritual death: You will not only die physically; you will also die spiritually and be separated from our holy God for all eternity in hell.
1 John Chapter 1: 8-10

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Let us endeavor to have a good understanding of all that has been said, before we react-to avoid committing sin. ways.

James 1 : 12-21

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Let us endeavor to have a good understanding of all that has been said, before we react-to avoid committing sin. ways.

James 1 : 12-21

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

The Baale of Apena town,Ibadan Oyo state, Chief Lateef Adegoke has expressed hopes that President Ahmed Tinubu would sustain the pace of its actions so far throughout the lifespan of the administration.
This call was made on Wednesday by the Baale of Apena Town in the Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan Oyo state, Chief Lateef Adegoke
'' I personally congratulate President Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. I believe he is going to do well. We have started seeing the signs. What was covered is now in the open. I hope he continues the way he has started. I would advise all political parties to let us cooperate with the present government so that poor Nigerians will benefit,'' Chief Adegoke stated.
He also appealed to the Oyo state Government to facilitate the development of Apena town, saying,'' I appeal to the Oyo state Government to make the roads in the town motorable and also  to establish mechanized farming. This will encourage the youth to participate in farming  and also reduce unemployment.''

Similarly, Mr. Ikechukuw Paul Okoli a food seller along Olu Ayoola street, challenge Ibadan, lamented the hardships Nigerians were going through saying, '' things are going from bad to worse everyday, something must be done. The labor unions have failed Nigerians. Government must do something. We are now hearing that electricity tariffs would be increased  by July 1. We are suffering, the suffering is too much. The President ought to have known the first things to do, Nigerians have no money to eat, transport fares have gone up,'' Mr. Okoli stated.

Workers in construction sites across Nigeria have been advised to shun illicit substances to avoid unpleasant circumstances.
This advice was given on Wednesday by Mrs Omobolanle Adedeji at a one day sensitization on GENDER BASED VIOLNECE, HIV/AIDS AND CODE OF CONDUCT, organized by the Women  Safe House Sustenance Initiative for the workforce of the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project(IURMP) in Ibadan, Nigeria.
''If you break the law, the government  will prosecute you. All workers in construction sites are prohibited from taking alcohol or illicit substances. If you are in possession  of illegal drug and someone  reports you, and your employer comes in and discovers it in you , it is an offence and the NDLEA will step in. And if the evidence is heavier than your story, you will go to jail,'' Mrs Adedeji stated.
She also  harped on the dangers of violent behaviour, stressing, ''fighting is not allowed in offices and construction sites.
''Do not physically harrass your co-worker. Stealing is prohibited. Also, the possession of harmful and illegal drugs is prohibited, Mrs. Adedeji concluded.
In her remarks, an official of IURFMP, Mrs. Bola Dada maintained that all employees signed the same code of conduct, adding, '' we have had several issues. The company has the responsibility that we conduct ourselves well. If you don't comply with the code of conduct you will not go free.''