Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, a 39-year-old Nigerian national, was extradited from France to the United States to face charges of wire fraud, hacking, and identity theft, which allegedly caused over $819,000 in losses to victims.
Amachukwu, also known as “Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo” and “So Kwan Leung,” was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in New York, with the case assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Amachukwu and Nigeria-based co-conspirators, including Kinglsey Uchelue Utulu, allegedly hacked U.S. tax preparation businesses in states like New York and Texas starting in 2019, using spearphishing emails to access electronic systems.
They stole personal information from thousands of clients, which was used to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax authorities, seeking $8.4 million in refunds and securing approximately $2.5 million.
Additionally, the group allegedly defrauded the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, obtaining $819,000 in fraudulent payouts.
Amachukwu is also accused of running a separate scam involving fake investments in nonexistent standby letters of credit, pocketing millions from victims.
“Amachukwu allegedly operated multiple illicit fraud schemes, profiting at the expense of others,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton added, “This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting Americans from criminals operating here and abroad.”
Amachukwu faces five counts: one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions (maximum five years), two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (each up to 20 years), two counts of wire fraud (each up to 20 years), and aggravated identity theft (mandatory consecutive two years).
If convicted, he could face up to 47 years in prison. He was arrested in France at the request of U.S. authorities and remains in custody pending trial.
