The United States has released Nigerian businessman and convicted fraudster, Obinwanne 'Invictus Obi' Okeke, from prison after he completed a six-year sentence for orchestrating an $11 million cyber fraud scheme.
From Forbes Celebrity to Federal Inmate
Obinwanne Okeke, 38, was once celebrated as a rising star on the African continent. In 2016, he was featured in the prestigious Forbes 30-under-30 list, hailed as one of Africa's most promising young entrepreneurs. His company, Invictus Group, was praised for investments in construction, agriculture, and oil and gas.
However, this glittering image concealed a criminal enterprise. Between 2015 and 2019, Okeke masterminded a sophisticated business email compromise scheme that defrauded American companies.
The $11 Million Fraud Scheme
Investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Okeke and his conspirators stole login credentials and hacked into email accounts. Their primary target was Unatrac Holding Limited, a firm that exports Caterpillar heavy machinery.
By intercepting and manipulating email communications, they successfully diverted invoice payments to bank accounts they controlled. Through this method of subterfuge and impersonation, they fraudulently obtained approximately $11 million.
"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," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh in 2021.
Arrest, Sentence, and Early Release
Okeke's downfall came in August 2019. FBI agents arrested him at the Dulles International Airport in Virginia as he prepared to board a flight back to Nigeria.
He later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit computer fraud. In February 2021, he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Okeke was released from custody on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. His early release is attributed to the First Step Act, a prison reform law signed by former President Donald Trump. The law allows for sentence reductions for inmates who maintain good behavior and complete specific programs.
As part of his plea agreement, arrangements for his deportation to Nigeria are now underway.
Fallout and Asset Forfeiture
The consequences of Okeke's crimes extend beyond his prison term. Following his conviction, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Nigeria issued an order for the temporary forfeiture of over N280 million found in his Nigerian bank accounts.
This case remains a stark cautionary tale about the dramatic fall from grace of a once-celebrated entrepreneur, highlighting the severe legal repercussions of cyber-enabled financial crime.
