Nigerian businessman and convicted fraudster Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi, has been released from a United States prison after serving about six years of a 10-year sentence for fraud. Peoples Gazette confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Okeke was no longer in custody, with deportation arrangements to Nigeria underway in line with his plea agreement.
Mr Okeke was arrested by FBI agents in August 2019 at the Dulles International Airport in Virginia while attempting to return to Nigeria. He was sentenced in February 2021 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer fraud, after scamming U.S.-based firms of about $11 million. His early release reportedly followed eligibility under the First Step prison reform law.
Investigators said Mr Okeke hacked corporate emails and diverted payments from Unatrac Holding Limited, an industrial equipment exporter. “Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million in losses to his victims,” said Raj Parekh in 2021. Nigerian courts also ordered temporary forfeiture of over ₦280 million linked to him.