This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested Obinwanne Okeke, the chairman and CEO of Invictus Group, for his alleged role in a $11 million online phishing scam.
The arrest is part of a larger investigation into email fraud, which has seen the FBI receive over 14,000 complaints totaling $113 billion in the first seven months of 2019.
According to the FBI, Okeke's arrest was the result of a 13-month investigation that began in July 2018, following a report from Unatrac Holding Limited that they had been the victim of a $11 million fraudulent activity.
The scam, which exposed the login credentials of the company's CFO, led to a series of transfers amounting to $11 million.
Additionally, a jury indictment has named 80 defendants accused of defrauding up to $10 million, highlighting the scale of the problem.
As the news of Okeke's arrest spreads, it may have implications for Nigeria's reputation abroad, with some international media houses potentially hesitant to feature upcoming Nigerian entrepreneurs.
"The arrest of Okeke could see organizations think twice before inviting future entrepreneurial stars from Nigeria," notes Pulse.
