Two Nigerians, Shodiya Babatunde (43) and Jamui Ahmed (31), have been charged by the United States for their alleged participation in a fraudulent business email scheme amounting to $13 million, targeting healthcare companies in Minnesota.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota disclosed the charges on Thursday, stating that the two suspects, in collaboration with accomplices, diverted millions of dollars intended for Fairview Health into accounts under their control.
According to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, Babatunde and Ahmed exploited unsuspecting employees of various Minnesota-based healthcare firms, leading them to reroute payments to fraudulent accounts through deceit.
The illicit scheme, spanning from October 2020 to 2024, involved the establishment of counterfeit internet domains and email accounts impersonating senior executives of Fairview Health.
Luger stated, “As part of the scheme, Babatunde and Ahmed created a spurious internet domain designed to mimic control by Fairview Health."
The pair utilized these false accounts to execute phishing attacks, obtaining sensitive information such as passwords and account details from vendors.
The statement further revealed, “Without the knowledge of the vendor companies, the new accounts were actually under the control of Babatunde and Ahmed, as well as their co-conspirators, and not Fairview Health.
“Collectively, Babatunde and Ahmed fraudulently redirected over $13 million in payments designated for Fairview Health from Minnesota-based healthcare companies to accounts controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators."
Subsequently, Babatunde and Ahmed fled and are currently evading justice, taking refuge in Nigeria.
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