U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei has announced the arrest of a 33-year-old Nigerian man, Edikan Adiakpan, for his alleged involvement in a large-scale business email compromise (BEC) and money laundering scheme.
Adiakpan, who is expected to make his initial court appearance at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Houston on June 11. The three-count indictment charges him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and illegal money transmission.
According to the indictment, Adiakpan and his co-conspirators orchestrated a BEC scheme in 2021, targeting companies in at least eight states, including a California research group working on treatments for U.S. veterans. Victims were allegedly deceived by “spoofed” emails resembling communications from legitimate suppliers or creditors, leading them to redirect payments to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
The indictment further alleges that the conspirators laundered the stolen funds by transferring them through multiple bank accounts before converting the money into cashier’s checks. Adiakpan is accused of cashing these checks and retaining a portion as a fee.
Another Nigerian, Ayobami Omoniyi, 26, was previously charged in connection with the scheme and is awaiting sentencing before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen.
If convicted, Adiakpan faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and money laundering charges, and up to five years for illegal money transmission. Each count also carries a potential fine of up to \$250,000.
The case is being investigated by the FBI – Houston and its Bryan Resident Agency, along with IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Christine Lu are handling the prosecution.