Nigerian Man Arrested after Hacking US University Systems to Steal $235,000
- A Nigerian man residing in the United Kingdom has been arrested following a U.S. extradition request linked to a cyber fraud scheme targeting a university in Pennsylvania
- Farouk Adekunle Adepoju allegedly manipulated email systems to divert over $235,000 into a fraudulent account
- He now faces a seven-count indictment, including wire fraud and computer fraud, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years
Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, a Nigerian national residing in the United Kingdom, has been arrested in connection with a transatlantic cybercrime case involving wire fraud and computer fraud.
The arrest followed a formal extradition request from the United States, where authorities allege Adepoju orchestrated a sophisticated scheme targeting a university in Western Pennsylvania. Here are the key developments surrounding the case.
Source: Twitter
U.K. authorities arrested Farouk Adekunle Adepoju on 15 September 2025, acting on a request from the United States government. The arrest was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti, who confirmed that Adepoju is currently awaiting extradition to face charges in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Alleged cybercrime targeted US university
According to the unsealed indictment, Adepoju allegedly hacked into a computer belonging to a construction company contracted by a university in Western Pennsylvania.
The cyber intrusion reportedly occurred between March and April 2023. Prosecutors claim Adepoju manipulated email rules and created a spoofed email account to deceive the university into transferring approximately $235,266.80 to a fraudulent bank account. The stolen funds have not been recovered.
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti stated, “Adepoju is charged with using sophisticated cyber means to illegally access accounts belonging to a business in order to victimize one of our region’s universities.”
Rivetti emphasised that geographical distance did not hinder the investigation, adding,
“Even from halfway across the world, however, Adepoju was not beyond the investigative reach of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Speaking with Legit.ng, Imaan Muhammad, an educationist based in Nigeria, reacted to the crime committed against university:
“Sad reflection of how some misuse education and tech skills. Instead of building systems, they break them. Cyber fraud targeting a university damages trust in Nigerians abroad and affect the credibility of genuine scholars. We must teach ethics alongside ICT because knowledge without character is dangerous.”
FBI reaffirms global reach in cybercrime enforcement
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek issued a stern warning to international cybercriminals.
What is FBI?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice and a key member of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
It operates as a domestic security agency, tackling federal crimes including cybercrime, terrorism, organised crime, and public corruption. With 56 field offices across the United States and legal attaché offices in U.S. embassies worldwide, the FBI combines law enforcement authority with intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Its mission is to protect and defend the United States against threats, uphold and enforce federal laws, and provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, and international partners.
Source: Getty Images
Adamawa police arrest shop owner
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Adamawa state Police Command arrested a 28-year-old shop owner, Aliyu Musa, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Mubi South Local Government Area. The incident happened on September 11, 2025, when the teenager reportedly took shelter in Musa’s shop during a heavy rainstorm.
An eyewitness, who reported the matter to the police, said the girl entered the shop to escape the rain and asked to stay until the weather cleared. The witness added that Musa later invited the girl into the inner section of the shop, claiming it was warmer inside.
Source: Legit.ng
