- Nigerian Farouk Adekunle Adepoju arrested in UK, charged with cyber fraud in the US.
- Accused of hacking a Pennsylvania company’s emails to divert $235,266 from a university.
- Faces up to 20 years per wire fraud charge; extradition and trial pending.
Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, a Nigerian residing in the United Kingdom, has been detained by British authorities following a request from the United States government.
Adepoju faces serious allegations related to wire fraud and computer fraud.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Trump Files $15bn Lawsuit Against New York Times
- Airline Operators Commend FG for Suspending 4% Import Levy
- Lagos: UBA branch, Offices Hit as Fire Guts Building in Marina
EKO HOT BLOG reports that US prosecutors say Adepoju hacked into the email system of a Pennsylvania-based construction company working on a university project.
He is accused of creating fake email accounts impersonating company staff, which he used to send fraudulent payment instructions to the university.
The US Department of Justice revealed on Thursday that Adepoju was arrested on September 15, 2025, and is now awaiting extradition to the United States. He is charged under a seven-count indictment filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Between March and April 2023, Adepoju is alleged to have gained unauthorized access to the construction company’s protected computer system.
He reportedly modified email settings and set up a fake domain to trick the university into redirecting payment to accounts he controlled.
The university subsequently transferred about $235,266 to these fraudulent accounts.
Authorities have yet to recover the stolen funds.
An acting US attorney emphasized, “Adepoju employed advanced cyber techniques to breach a business’s accounts and exploit one of our region’s universities.”
He added, “Though thousands of miles away, Adepoju was still within the reach of the FBI’s investigation. His arrest in the UK highlights our firm commitment to tracking down cybercriminals across the globe with the support of international law enforcement.”
Kevin Rojek, FBI’s Special Agent in Charge in Pittsburgh, warned, “Those who try to steal from the US remotely must understand: the FBI and its partners will not allow them to evade justice.”
He further stressed, “Email hacking is not a victimless crime; it is a major threat that affects companies, universities, and organisations of all sizes.”
Adepoju faces six wire fraud charges, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, plus one charge of computer fraud, which could lead to up to five years in prison.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh office led the investigation, with Assistant US Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuting, supported by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Officials reminded the public that an indictment is merely an allegation, and Adepoju is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
FURTHER READING
- Arrival: Trump Begins Second UK State Visit
- Sowore Sues DSS, Meta, X Over Alleged Social Media Censorship
- Utah Student Charged With Murder of Charlie Kirk, Faces Death Penalty
