US sanctions Nigerian cyber frauds for targeting American companies, individuals

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In coordination with the United States Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control moved against six Nigerians, pursuant to Executive Order 13694 as amended, for conducting an elaborate online scheme to steal more than $6 million from victims across the United States (US).

Michael R. Pompeo, US Secretary of State, in a statement dated June 16, 2020, attributed the cyber frauds by the Nigerian nationals to “technological advancements that provide greater interconnectivity also offer greater opportunity for exploitation by malicious actors who target at-risk Americans.”

The US Secretary of State said that the six individuals designated June 16 manipulated their victims to gain access to their sensitive information and financial resources in cyberspace.

“The U.S. will not tolerate such gross misuse of technology,” stated Pompeo.

According to him, “the United States will use all of the tools at our disposal to defend the American people and businesses from malign actors that seek to target them, including cyber-enabled actors who prey on vulnerable Americans and businesses.”