NEW YORK (BN24) — Chukwuemeka Victor Amarachukwu, a 39-year-old Nigerian national also known as Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and “So Kwan Leung,” has been extradited from France to the United States to face federal charges related to hacking, fraud, and identity theft, officials announced Tuesday.
Amarachukwu was brought to the U.S. on Monday, August 4, 2025, following a formal request from U.S. authorities. He was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in the Southern District of New York, where the case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Amarachukwu participated in a sophisticated cybercrime scheme targeting U.S.-based tax preparation businesses using spearphishing emails to gain unauthorized access to electronic systems. The stolen data included sensitive tax and identifying information of thousands of Americans.
“Amarachukwu and his co-conspirators sought fraudulent refunds totaling at least $8.4 million from the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities, successfully obtaining approximately $2.5 million,” said United States Attorney Jay Clayton. Additionally, the conspirators filed fraudulent claims under the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, netting over $819,000 in illegal payouts.
Beyond tax fraud, Amarachukwu is accused of orchestrating a separate scheme that defrauded victims by offering nonexistent investments in standby letters of credit, netting millions of dollars.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia emphasized the bureau’s commitment to pursuing cybercriminals worldwide. “If you are attempting to enrich yourself by scamming Americans from behind a keyboard, the FBI, with our extensive law enforcement partnerships, is willing and able to bring you to the United States to face justice,” Raia said.
Amarachukwu faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The combined charges carry potential sentences ranging from a minimum of two years to up to 20 years in prison for each offense, with sentencing ultimately at the discretion of the presiding judge.
The extradition was made possible through close cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the French National Gendarmerie.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Nessim, leading the prosecution, stressed that the charges remain allegations until proven in court.
