Two Nigerians based in the United States and who were serving in the US Air Force when they committed an international cyber fraud scheme have been sentenced to a combined 15 years and nine months in federal prison.

Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji were sentenced on September 25, 2026, after being convicted over a scheme that defrauded businesses of more than $2.4 million.

The Delaware-based defendants used phishing, email spoofing and stolen login credentials to gain access to victims’ accounts and divert business payments. Prosecutors said more than $1.68 million belonging to an Iowa City business and $720,000 from an Ohio company were redirected to accounts controlled by the conspirators.

They also obtained sensitive financial information, including bank account numbers, PINs and credit and debit card details, which were used for unauthorised transactions and purchases.

Odimegwu was sentenced to 111 months in prison and ordered to pay $366,617.59 in restitution, while Mogaji received 78 months and was ordered to pay $995,680.45.

Both men were taken into custody following sentencing and will each serve three years of supervised release after completing their prison terms.