Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, a Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom, finds himself entangled in a complex web of cybercrime allegations, facing extradition to the United States to answer for charges of wire fraud and computer fraud. The US Department of Justice alleges that Adepoju orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to defraud a Pennsylvania construction company and a university for which it was working. The alleged cyberattack, occurring between March and April 2023, involved Adepoju gaining unauthorized access to the construction company’s protected computer system. He is accused of manipulating email rules, creating a deceptive domain mimicking the company’s legitimate one, and subsequently using this fake domain to transmit fraudulent payment instructions to the university.
The fraudulent instructions successfully duped the university into altering the construction firm’s payment details, diverting approximately $235,266 to an account under Adepoju’s control. This sophisticated manipulation underscores the growing threat of cybercrime, where perpetrators can operate remotely, transcending geographical boundaries to target individuals and institutions. The fact that the funds have not been recovered further compounds the severity of the alleged crime, leaving the victims with significant financial losses. Adepoju’s arrest in the UK on September 15, 2025, following a request from the US government, highlights the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies in combating cybercrime. He now awaits extradition to the United States, where he will face a seven-count indictment in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The unraveling of Adepoju’s alleged scheme began with an investigation led by the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office. Their meticulous work, along with the support of the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, culminated in Adepoju’s arrest and the subsequent unsealing of the indictment. The indictment details six counts of wire fraud, each carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of computer fraud with a maximum sentence of five years. This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties associated with cybercrime, reflecting the growing recognition of the devastating impact such crimes can have on individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Acting US Attorney Troy Rivetti emphasized the seriousness of Adepoju’s alleged actions, stating that the defendant is charged with leveraging sophisticated cyber tactics to gain illegal access to a business’s accounts, ultimately victimizing a local university. Rivetti’s statement underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to pursue cybercriminals relentlessly, regardless of their location. The arrest, he asserted, demonstrates that even individuals operating from across the globe are not beyond the reach of the FBI and its partners. This commitment to international collaboration is crucial in addressing the increasingly global nature of cybercrime.
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge, Kevin Rojek, echoed Rivetti’s sentiments, warning criminals who believe they can exploit the interconnectedness of the digital world to target American entities that the FBI and its partners will diligently pursue them and bring them to justice, regardless of their geographical location. Rojek stressed that email compromise schemes, such as the one Adepoju is accused of perpetrating, are not victimless crimes. These schemes represent one of the most costly threats facing businesses, universities, and organizations of all sizes. This highlights the significant financial and reputational damage that can result from such attacks, underscoring the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
While Adepoju faces serious charges, it is crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The legal process will unfold as Adepoju awaits extradition and subsequently faces trial in the US. This case serves as a significant example of international cooperation in pursuing cybercriminals and highlights the ongoing battle against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats in the digital age. The outcome will undoubtedly have implications for future efforts to combat similar crimes and protect individuals and organizations from online fraud.
