A Nigerian citizen, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, has been arrested in the United Kingdom at the request of the United States government over allegations of wire fraud and computer fraud amounting to more than $235,000.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Adepoju was taken into custody by British authorities on September 15, 2025, and is currently awaiting extradition proceedings. He is facing a seven-count indictment in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors allege that Adepoju employed sophisticated cyber intrusion techniques to defraud a Pennsylvania-based university between March and April 2023. Court filings indicate that he manipulated digital payment systems to divert funds, ultimately causing the institution to lose $235,266.80.
If extradited and convicted, Adepoju could face significant penalties under U.S. federal law, including lengthy prison terms and restitution orders. Wire fraud alone carries a maximum sentence of 20 years per count, while computer fraud violations may result in fines and additional custodial sentences.
The arrest underscores ongoing international cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom in tackling cybercrime and financial fraud, particularly schemes targeting educational and public institutions. The DOJ reiterated its commitment to pursuing cybercriminals operating across borders, warning that “geographic distance will not shield perpetrators from accountability.”
Adepoju’s case will proceed through the British judicial system, where he will have the opportunity to contest the extradition request before potentially being transferred to U.S. custody.
