Nigerian Man Wanted in US for Cyber Fraud Apprehended in Philippines

A Nigerian national named Ahmed Kamilu Alex was on October 11, 2024 arrested in Quezon City, Philippines, as reported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI). This arrest is pivotal due to Alex's alleged involvement in a cyber fraud scheme targeting U.S. military personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BI's statement, released on October 28, 2024, detailed that Alex, aged 35, was captured by the BI fugitive search unit (FSU) along Panay Avenue in Barangay Paligsahan. He had been placed on the immigration blacklist for being a fugitive from justice.

The U.S. authorities accused Alex and two accomplices of creating fraudulent websites that mimicked legitimate U.S. government agencies. These sites were used to deceive victims into paying between $500 and $48,500 under the guise of processing emergency leave requests.

This case exemplifies the exploitation of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by cybercriminals who prey on vulnerable individuals. The use of fake government websites highlights a common tactic in digital fraud schemes, where authenticity is mimicked to gain trust and extract money from unsuspecting victims.

Ahmed Kamilu Alex is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, awaiting deportation proceedings to the United States, where he will stand trial for his alleged crimes. The BI has confirmed that Alex will remain on their immigration blacklist and be banned from re-entering the Philippines post-deportation.