A Nigerian musician, Onomen Uduebor, has been jailed for three years and four months in a United States federal prison for his involvement in a complex $140,000 tax fraud scheme.
The 39-year-old, also known by the alias Onomen Onohi, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The U.S. District Court in Seattle handed down the sentence on Monday, July 1, 2025.
Extradition from the UK
Uduebor was arrested in the United Kingdom in September 2023 and later extradited to the United States in March 2025 to face charges. Just a month later, in April 2025, he entered a guilty plea in a U.S. federal court.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington in collaboration with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and international law enforcement agencies.
Details of the fraud scheme
According to court documents and a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Uduebor took part in a fraud ring that targeted Human Resources departments of companies across the United States. The scheme involved tricking HR staff into releasing W-2 forms, which contain sensitive tax information for employees.
Using this stolen data, the group filed over 300 fake tax returns to claim more than $1 million in federal refunds. The fraudulent returns were filed in the names of the identity theft victims.
Investigators revealed that Uduebor personally submitted at least 150 of these false returns. He also monitored the refund process and directed payments into bank accounts opened under stolen identities.
While the IRS intercepted most of the claims, about $140,000 in fraudulent refunds slipped through. Uduebor admitted to receiving $10,000 for his part in the operation.
The judge condemns his actions
At the sentencing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart noted that Uduebor played a “substantial role” in the operation. The judge said the musician “freely participated in the fraud” and was well aware of the consequences of his actions.
“He should have known better,” Judge Robart said, adding that the fraud had real victims and long-term consequences.
Victims faced financial and emotional pain
Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman also condemned the fraud, emphasising the lasting harm it caused. She said the scheme not only defrauded the IRS but also brought emotional distress and financial loss to ordinary workers whose identities were stolen.
“Victims suffered delays in receiving their tax refunds and had to spend time and money fixing their records,” Gorman said in a press statement. “This fraud disrupted lives and stole from the public.”
Ordered to repay stolen funds
As part of the sentence, Uduebor has been ordered to forfeit the $10,000 he received and pay $122,720 in restitution to the IRS. Prosecutors said the money will help offset some of the losses caused by the scam.
To be deported after sentence
Following the completion of his prison term, Uduebor is expected to be deported to Nigeria. U.S. immigration authorities have placed a removal order on him as part of the case’s resolution.
International crime, global consequences
The case is part of a broader trend of cross-border financial crimes, including cyberfraud and identity theft, and highlights the importance of international cooperation.
Officials praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies in the U.S., U.K., and Nigeria for helping bring Uduebor to justice.
“Tax fraud may seem like a paper crime, but it hurts real people,” said an IRS investigator involved in the case. “This sentence sends a strong message to anyone who thinks they can commit fraud from overseas and get away with it.”
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