A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, has been arrested over allegations of wire fraud and computer fraud in connection with a cyberattack on a U.S. university.
The arrest, carried out on September 15, 2025, followed a request from the United States government. Adepoju is now awaiting extradition to the Western District of Pennsylvania, where he faces a seven-count indictment.
Alleged Cyber Scheme
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), between March and April 2023, Adepoju allegedly hacked into a construction company’s protected computer system. The company was under contract with a university in Pennsylvania.
Court documents say Adepoju altered email rules and created a spoofed domain, which he used to send fraudulent payment instructions to the university.
Deceived by the emails, the university allegedly changed the construction company’s payment details to a fraudulent account controlled by Adepoju. In total, $235,266 (about ₦352 million) was diverted.
The stolen funds have not yet been recovered.
U.S. Authorities React
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti described the crime as a “sophisticated cyber scheme,” adding that Adepoju’s arrest showed that distance was not a shield against justice.
“Even from halfway across the world, Adepoju was not beyond the investigative reach of the FBI,” Rivetti said. “His arrest in the United Kingdom underscores our unwavering commitment to aggressively locate and prosecute cybercriminals worldwide.”
Similarly, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek warned that such crimes are costly and will not be tolerated:
“Criminals who think they can reach across the globe into the United States to line their pockets … need to know one thing: we will find you and bring you to justice.”
Possible Sentence
Adepoju has been charged with six counts of wire fraud and one count of computer fraud.
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Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
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The computer fraud charge carries up to five years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Gurzo, with international coordination supported by the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs.
Authorities stressed that an indictment is only an accusation, and Adepoju remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
