A 39-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu — also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung has been extradited from France to face trial in the United States over allegations of hacking, fraud, and identity theft amounting to $3.3 million.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SADR.jpeg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 5.
According to the statement, Amachukwu, whose extradition was completed on Monday, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger on Tuesday.
Clayton said, “As alleged, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu took part in a scheme to hack into U.S. tax businesses, trade in the stolen identifying information of victims, and defraud the IRS and other governmental bodies.
“Amachukwu also allegedly participated in a separate fraud scheme that promised victims valuable investments that did not, in fact, exist. This Office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting Americans from criminals operating both locally and internationally.”
Court records revealed that beginning around 2019, Amachukwu, his co-conspirator Kingsley Uchelue Utulu, and other Nigeria-based accomplices engaged in a scheme to hack into U.S.-based tax preparation businesses — including several located in New York, Texas, and other states — by using spear-phishing emails to gain access to the companies’ electronic systems.
Once they gained access, the conspirators stole tax and other identifying information belonging to the customers of those businesses.
The group allegedly obtained the identity information of thousands of individuals and used it to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and various state tax authorities.
Prosecutors said the conspirators sought fraudulent tax refunds amounting to at least $8.4 million, out of which they successfully obtained approximately $2.5 million.
“In addition to filing fraudulent tax returns, the conspirators used the stolen identities to file false claims under the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. They were able to secure an additional $819,000 in fraudulent payouts,” the statement added.
“Amachukwu is also charged with participating in a separate fraud scheme in which he offered victims investments in supposedly valuable standby letters of credit. However, these financial instruments did not exist, and Amachukwu allegedly pocketed millions of dollars from his victims.”
He was arrested in France at the request of the United States for his involvement in the scheme and was subsequently extradited to the U.S.
Amachukwu faces one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each carrying a maximum of 20 years; two counts of wire fraud, also carrying up to 20 years each; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
The promotion, which commenced on January 8 and runs until February 8, 2026, offers five core maritime law books authored by Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, ordinarily valued at N405,000, for just N150,000 — a 63% discount.
Interested buyers can place their orders through the following channels:
Phone: 0704 329 3271
Online Store: https://paystack.shop/aa-bookstore
Website: www.akabogulaw.com
_______________________________________________________________________
The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
