Nigerian Hacker Gets 5 Years: Tax Fraud and Identity Theft Unmasked!
Kingsley Uchelue Utulu, a Nigerian national, will serve over five years for his role in a hacking and fraud scheme targeting US tax firms. This criminal operation, which began in 2019, involved stealing identities to file bogus tax returns and loans. The cybercriminals aimed for $8.4 million, swiping at least $2.5 million.
Hot Take:
***Looks like Mr. Utulu just learned the hard way that crime doesn’t pay unless you enjoy the ambiance of a federal prison!***
Key Points:
– Kingsley Uchelue Utulu was sentenced to over five years in prison for his role in a hacking and fraud scheme.
– The scheme targeted US tax preparation companies to steal personal information and file fraudulent tax returns.
– The cybercriminals attempted to steal $8.4 million, successfully obtaining $2.5 million.
– Utulu also fraudulently acquired $819,000 via the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
– Alongside his prison sentence, Utulu must pay $3.6 million in restitution and forfeit $290,000.