A Nairobi court has approved the extradition of three Kenyans to the United States, where they are wanted to face charges over an alleged multi-million-dollar cyber fraud scheme.

The three

  • Peter Omari,

  • Francis Asanyo, and

  • Elvis Obaigwa

face charges including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft under US law.

The Milimani court endorsed arrest warrants issued by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on November 15, 2023, clearing the way for the suspects to be transferred to the US to face prosecution.

The suspects were arrested in Kenya following a joint operation involving

  • the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),

  • Interpol and

  • the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

 

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According to investigators, the three were allegedly part of a syndicate involved in business email compromise and vendor account compromise schemes targeting US state and local government entities from April 2019.

The suspects allegedly registered internet domains resembling those of legitimate companies, created fraudulent email accounts and used social engineering tactics to redirect payments to bank accounts under their control.

Investigators further allege that the group recruited U.S-based money mules to receive millions of dollars before transferring the funds to Kenya.

 

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The suspects had remained in custody as extradition proceedings progressed. Prosecutors argued that the seriousness of the charges and potential penalties in the US created a risk that they could flee.

The defence had opposed continued detention, arguing that the suspects had not been interrogated by Kenyan or US investigators.

The court’s decision clears the way for their extradition to the US, where they will face the charges brought against them.

 

 

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