A Nigerian man named Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, living in the United Kingdom, faces serious charges for allegedly hacking into systems belonging to a U.S. university contractor and diverting over US$235,000 to a fraudulent bank account. U.S. prosecutors unsealed a seven-count indictment in the Western District of Pennsylvania. He now awaits extradition.
How the Fraud Allegedly Occurred
Between March and April 2023, Adepoju allegedly gained unauthorized access to a computer system of a construction company contracted by a university in Western Pennsylvania. Then he manipulated email rules and created a spoofed email account that appeared legitimate. He used that spoofed account to deceive university staff into redirecting a payment. Finally, the university wired US$235,266.80 to a bank account under his control. Investigators have not recovered the funds.
Charges and Legal Implications
Adepoju faces six counts of wire fraud and one count of computer fraud. He could receive up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges and up to 5 years for the computer fraud charge. He was arrested on September 15, 2025 in the U.K., following a U.S. extradition request. Prosecutors emphasize that although the alleged crime happened halfway across the world, U.S. law enforcement reached him.
Reactions from Officials
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti stated that Adepoju allegedly used sophisticated cyber means to illegally access accounts belonging to a business and thereby victimized a university. FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek warned cybercriminals that they cannot hide behind national borders. He asserted that even overseas, they remain within reach.
What This Means Moving Forward
The U.S. and U.K. authorities now must complete the extradition process. Once extradited, Adepoju will stand trial in Pennsylvania. Legal experts say this case underscores how universities and contractors must strengthen cybersecurity policies, especially in handling email rule changes, spoofed domains, and verification of payment instructions. Entities must train staff to notice red flags. Furthermore, this case may serve as warning to cyberfraud actors that international cooperation between law enforcement is active and effective.
Conclusion
Farouk Adekunle Adepoju allegedly orchestrated a cyber fraud scheme in which he manipulated email systems to steal over US$235,000 from a U.S. university contractor. He now faces extradition and potential prison time if convicted. While the stolen funds remain unrecovered, this case illustrates the global reach of cybercrime enforcement and the importance of vigilance, both in institutions and individuals.
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