A federal judge recently sentenced one Airman and a former Airman to a combined 15 years in prison and ordered them to pay $1.36 million in restitution for a two-year cyber fraud scheme they perpetrated while serving on Active-Duty at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
On Sept. 25, Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu, 25, and Harafat Mogaji, 26, were sentenced to nine years, three months, and six years, six months in federal prison, respectively, for their role in a cyber fraud scheme that targeted at least 15 businesses, towns, and nonprofits while also conducting romance fraud schemes to get victims to act as “money mules” for their more than $2.4 million in stolen funds.
Neither man was involved in cyber career fields in the Air Force.
Odimegwu and Mogaji previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations’ Detachment 306 at Dover assisted the FBI in the investigation. The detachment, a local field unit, helped identify victims, investigated threats made by the defendants, and conducted federal arrests of the two Airmen, according to an AFOSI release.
“This case demonstrates why strong partnerships across law enforcement are critical to protecting the Department of the Air Force and the American people,” said Special Agent Kevin Golden, commander of the detachment.
Mogaji was discharged from the USAF earlier this year; as of his recent sentencing, Odimegwu was still awaiting discharge.
Airman First Class Odimegwu joined the Air Force in February 2023, became a Traffic Management Apprentice, and last served as a household goods specialist, according to an Air Force spokesperson. His awards include the Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
Mogaji served from 2022 to July 4, 2026. His terminal rank was Airman First Class; he was a services apprentice and last served as a fitness and sports journeyman. His awards include the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award.
According to court documents, the pair spoofed the victims’ email addresses with similar addresses, gained username and password access to the victims’ accounts, and then monitored them for large financial transactions.
“Cyber-enabled crime does not stop at installation boundaries or geographic borders,” Golden said. “Working alongside our federal partners allows us to identify threats, protect our personnel and resources, and hold those responsible accountable.”
In one instance, the pair targeted a victim in Iowa City, Iowa, and were able to gain access to a $1.68 million wire transfer the nonprofit was using for a construction project and divert it to a Chicago bank account.
In another example, the pair phished an official from the City of Athens, Ohio, intercepted a $720,000 wire transfer, and used a romance scam victim as the money mule to take the initial transfer before moving it to their own accounts.
“The city has received $205,000 to date in recovered stolen funds and a $200,000 insurance payout,” Mayor Steve Patterson said at a Sept. 28 city council meeting.In late 2025, the city adopted a state-recommended cybersecurity policy that outlines specific procedures for electronic payments.
“Criminals from all backgrounds attack our digital systems. They strike targets from corporate networks to personal smartphones,” Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office, said in a Department of Justice release. “No one and no device is immune from the threat. This case demonstrates that we will hold accountable cybercriminals who target our communities. It also serves as a reminder that every organization and every individual should take steps to protect their devices and systems and learn how to recognize and avoid scams.”