Nigerian Man Sentenced in U.S. for $1M Tax Fraud Scheme

A Nigerian national, Onomen Uduebor, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison in the United States for his involvement in a large-scale tax fraud scheme, which he claimed was fueled by his desperation to succeed in the music industry.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, the 39-year-old, also known as Onomen Onohi, was arrested in the United Kingdom in September 2023 and later extradited to the U.S. in March 2025. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Speaking during his sentencing, Uduebor addressed the court, expressing remorse for his actions.

“I have read the victim impact statements, and I know an apology is not enough… I was desperate to succeed in my music career. It is not an excuse, but it is the truth.”

The court documents reveal that between February 2016 and April 2017, Uduebor and a network of co-conspirators created fake email accounts, impersonating company executives to deceive human resources departments into releasing employees’ W-2 tax documents. The stolen information was then used to file more than 300 fraudulent tax returns, seeking over $1 million in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The indictment states that Uduebor was directly responsible for filing 150 of those false tax returns, and he personally monitored the disbursement of refunds into bank accounts opened under the names of identity theft victims.

While the IRS successfully blocked the majority of the claims, approximately $140,000 was paid out. Uduebor admitted to receiving $10,000 from the fraudulent scheme and was ordered to forfeit that amount. He was also directed to pay $122,720 in restitution to the U.S. Treasury.

“Uduebor admits that he filed 150 of the false tax returns and tracked the refunds and payments to bank accounts that the schemers set up in the names of the victims,” the statement said.
“While the IRS paid out about $140,000 to the fraudsters, Uduebor says he received only $10,000 from the scheme. The IRS was able to seize some of the money back from the conspirators, so the total restitution owed to the U.S. Treasury was $122,720.”

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart condemned Uduebor’s actions, describing his role in the crime as significant.

“He freely participated in the fraud and had a substantial role in the scheme. Thirty years old is not a young man, and he ought to have known better,” the judge remarked.

The Justice Department’s statement further noted that Uduebor is expected to be deported to Nigeria after serving his prison sentence.

“Uduebor was arrested in the United Kingdom in September 2023. He arrived in the U.S. in March 2025. He pleaded guilty in April 2025. Uduebor will likely be deported to Nigeria following his prison term,” the statement concluded.

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