The Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI) has officially filed a civil forfeiture complaint against a Nigerian national, identified as Ehiremen Aigbokhan, in connection with a large-scale fraud involving $250,000 originally intended to support Donald Trump’s 2017 presidential inauguration fund. The case sheds new light on the sophisticated international scams that continue to undermine high-profile events and institutions in the United States.
This legal action was initiated during the observance of America’s Independence Day, coinciding with the closure of the United States Embassy offices in Lagos and Abuja on July 4. Despite the public holiday, the announcement generated significant attention in both the United States and Nigeria, as it involves an individual with an extensive cyber fraud history and international implications.
According to court documents and investigative reports, Ehiremen Aigbokhan and his accomplices successfully deceived a wealthy donor who had intended to make a generous contribution to the Trump Inaugural Committee. The fraudsters, posing as legitimate representatives, intercepted the transaction using a scheme known as Business Email Compromise (BEC). This cybercrime technique involves hackers sending fraudulent emails that closely mimic those from trusted institutions or contacts, thereby tricking victims into transferring funds to criminal-controlled accounts.
Authorities revealed that after manipulating the donor through the fake email communications, the stolen funds were funneled into cryptocurrency wallets in an effort to obscure the money trail. However, the FBI was able to track these transactions through blockchain analysis and forensic tracing. Their investigation led them to Lagos, Nigeria, where Ehiremen Aigbokhan is believed to reside and operate from.
The FBI’s civil forfeiture complaint aims not only to seize the fraudulent proceeds but also to increase pressure on Nigerian authorities and international partners to bring the accused fraudster to justice. Aigbokhan’s case adds to the growing list of international cybercriminals targeting U.S. institutions and high-profile events through complex financial scams.
Efforts are currently underway to apprehend Aigbokhan, with cooperation being sought between Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their U.S. counterparts. If convicted, he could face serious financial penalties and potential extradition to the United States to face trial.
This case once again underscores the global reach of cybercrime and the importance of international collaboration in fighting financial fraud and protecting the integrity of major public and political events.