A Houston resident has been detained in connection with a significant business email compromise and money laundering operation, as disclosed by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The individual, Edikan Adiakpan, 33, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray.
On June 11, a federal grand jury in Houston indicted Adiakpan on three counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and illegal money transmission. According to the indictment, in 2021, Adiakpan and others executed a scheme targeting businesses across at least eight states. This included a California-based research group focused on developing treatments for U.S. veterans.
The indictment alleges that victims were deceived by “spoofed” emails resembling those from legitimate suppliers and creditors, leading them to send payments to accounts controlled by the perpetrators rather than the actual suppliers.
It is further alleged that the conspirators laundered these funds by transferring them between multiple bank accounts under their control before converting them into cashier’s checks. Adiakpan allegedly cashed these checks and retained a portion as a fee.
Ayobami Omoniyi, another Nigerian national aged 26, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to this scheme and is awaiting sentencing from U.S District Judge Andrew S. Hanen.
If found guilty, Adiakpan could face up to 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and money laundering charges and an additional five years for illegal money transmission offenses. Each charge carries a potential maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by FBI – Houston along with its Bryan Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation team. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Christine Lu.
An indictment serves as a formal accusation but not proof of criminal conduct; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due legal process.
