Authorities in the United States have initiated legal proceedings against Olusegun Samson Adejorin, a Nigerian national. He faces federal charges related to an alleged $7.5 million business email compromise scheme targeting two charitable organizations.

According to a report from graphic.com.gh, the suspect linked to the $7.5 million charity scam was apprehended in Ghana on December 29, 2023.

Olusegun Samson Adejorin is yet to make his initial court appearance in Ghana, as indicated by an eight-count indictment unsealed in Maryland. The charges outline his alleged operations between June and August 2020, involving the infiltration of accounts belonging to two organizations in the United States.

According to the report, the said Nigerian national operated by gaining unauthorized access to employee email accounts at two charities, one in Maryland and the other in New York. Posing as authorized personnel, he allegedly deceived the institutions into transferring funds.

In total, he got the organisations to transfer over US$7.5 million from the New York charity's investment funds held by the Maryland organisation, the report added.

“The indictment details a sophisticated scheme. Adejorin allegedly used a credential harvesting tool to steal login information, created fake domain names to mask his tracks, and even manipulated email accounts to hide his activity.

“If convicted, Adejorin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years per count of wire fraud, an additional five years for unauthorised computer access, and mandatory two-year sentences for aggravated identity theft,” the report stated.

It added that since Adejorin misused a domain name, the potential penalty he is facing could rise further.

The report also indicated that the FBI, along with international partners in Ghana, played a crucial role in apprehending Adejorin and bringing him to justice.