Nnamdi Felix Udeagha, a 39-year-old resident of Humble, Texas, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $214,908.34 in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud against the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Udeagha admitted that between April and December 2021, he worked with others to defraud the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health. The scheme involved sending emails impersonating a legitimate vendor and instructing payments be wired to accounts controlled by conspirators. Investigators found that Udeagha provided bank account information used for receiving the fraudulent funds.
“This defendant tried to hide in the shadows of the internet to steal money from the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health, which was needed for vital medical programs and services,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The FBI is committed to holding fraudsters accountable for the harm they cause the American people and our government institutions.”
“Fraudsters like the defendant employ email compromise schemes to prey on even the most sophisticated business enterprises,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I commend the FBI for the skilled investigative work which uncovered Udeagha’s criminal enterprise, and the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health for its work with law enforcement. This sentence demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursuing white collar criminals who seek to exploit businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White presided over sentencing at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Udeagha will remain in custody until he is transferred to a federal prison facility.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara Traster and T. Cameron McEwen prosecuted the case.
