The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively seeking to apprehend a suspected Lagos-based fraudster allegedly involved in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam that targeted a donor to the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Committee, resulting in a loss of over $250,000 USD (approximately ₦460 million). This international investigation highlights the increasing prevalence of online financial fraud with global reach.
According to federal officials, the elaborate scheme involved sending fraudulent emails that purported to be from Steve Witkoff, then co-chair of the committee. These deceptive communications solicited large sums in cryptocurrency, specifically USDT and ETH.
Read also: https://naijanewswatch.com/us-general-speaks/
The victim, believing the request was legitimate, transferred the funds. Prosecutors alleged that the stolen cryptocurrency was subsequently distributed across numerous digital wallet addresses, including a Binance account based in Nigeria and linked to the name Ehiremen Aigbokhan. Federal authorities are working to recover the stolen funds, with Binance and Tether cooperating by freezing accounts containing some of the ill-gotten gains.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of blockchain transactions and the challenges law enforcement faces in recovering stolen digital assets. The FBI has warned the public, particularly donors, to exercise extreme caution and meticulously verify recipients when sending cryptocurrency. Officials describe the scheme as a “business email compromise scam,” noting that the fraudsters cleverly manipulated email domain names to appear legitimate, often by making subtle changes, such as substituting a lowercase “L” for an uppercase “I” in the official email addresses. This ongoing investigation underscores the commitment of international law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and protect individuals and organizations from sophisticated financial fraud.
About the Author
