Nigerians Accused Of $5 million Fraud

A New York-based ring of Nigerian immigrants has been charged with filching the personal and financial information of more than 200 people — including some soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan — and using it to steal more than $5 million.

The ringleaders recruited lower-level conspirators in five states and Nigeria to launder stolen or forged checks, use credit cards and pick up mail, in exchange for a cut of the profit, officials said in announcing indictments on June 16.

“It takes a certain type of detached cruelty to victimize people in this way,” New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said, quoted in a report on the indictments in the New York Times. Kelly added that one member of the service returned home from duty for Christmas only to find his bank account cleared out.

Officials raided private homes June 15 in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens and arrested 26 people. Thirty-three people have been indicted — 16 on felony charges. Several people remain at large.

Daniel M. Donovan Jr., the Staten Island district attorney, said the thieves acquired some of the financial data by stealing mail. Donovan urged resident to lock their mailboxes, and to monitor their credit reports.

Authorities identified the leaders of the theft ring as Kazeem Badru, 38; Ganiu Rilwan, 46; and Okoronkwo Okechukwu, 32. Donovan’s office issued a news release with more information on the scheme, and the accused.