By Africa Live News Staff
A Nigerian musician, Onomen Uduebor, also known by his stage name Onomen Onohi, has been sentenced to three years and four months in a United States federal prison for his role in a sophisticated tax fraud scheme that targeted hundreds of American workers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The 39-year-old singer was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, following a complex cross-border investigation involving U.S. and British authorities. Uduebor, who had been living in the United Kingdom, was arrested in September 2023 and extradited to the U.S. in March 2025. He later pleaded guilty in April 2025, admitting to his involvement in the elaborate criminal operation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the scheme revolved around manipulating Human Resources (HR) departments of various companies across the United States. Using deceptive emails and impersonation tactics, the conspirators managed to obtain W-2 tax forms, which contain sensitive employee data such as names, social security numbers, and salary information.
Once the personal tax information was secured, it was used to file more than 300 fraudulent tax returns, claiming over $1 million in bogus refunds from the IRS. Though the majority of these fraudulent returns were intercepted by the IRS before payments were issued, approximately $140,000 was successfully disbursed.
Court documents revealed that Uduebor personally filed at least 150 of the false returns, using the stolen data to create fabricated tax filings. He also tracked the refund payments, many of which were directed into U.S. bank accounts opened under the identities of the unsuspecting victims. Investigators found that Uduebor personally benefited by receiving $10,000 from the fraudulently obtained tax refunds.
At his sentencing in Seattle, Washington, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart described Uduebor’s actions as deliberate and damaging, emphasizing the defendant’s active role in the crime.
“Mr. Uduebor played a substantial role in this scheme. He freely participated in the fraud and should have known better,” Judge Robart said. “This was not a one-time mistake but a sustained effort to exploit innocent people for personal gain.”
The court also heard emotional testimony from victims who described the financial and emotional distress caused by the identity theft. Many reported delayed tax refunds, credit issues, and hours spent trying to clear their names with financial institutions and the IRS.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman condemned the impact of the crime on both individuals and public institutions.
“This scheme caused serious harm to employees, companies, and the U.S. Treasury. Identity theft is not a victimless crime. The victims in this case faced confusion, financial disruption, and loss of trust,” she said in a statement following the sentencing. “The defendant’s actions were calculated and callous.”
As part of the sentence, Uduebor has been ordered to forfeit the $10,000 he received from the fraudulent claims. Additionally, he must pay $122,720 in restitution to the IRS, covering part of the losses suffered by the government from the scheme.
Uduebor’s attorney argued that the musician had no prior criminal record and became involved in the scheme under financial pressure while struggling to maintain his music career abroad. The defense asked the court for leniency, noting that Uduebor had shown remorse and cooperated with investigators.
In a brief statement to the court, Uduebor apologized for his actions.
“I deeply regret what I have done. I never intended to hurt anyone. I take full responsibility and hope to rebuild my life after serving my time,” he said.
However, Judge Robart insisted that the severity of the crime could not be overlooked.
“When you steal people’s identities and try to steal from the government, there must be consequences,” he said. “Good intentions do not erase criminal choices.”
The case has drawn significant attention both in the United States and Nigeria, with many expressing shock that a rising artist would be involved in such a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
Uduebor, whose stage name Onomen Onohi had earned some recognition within Afrobeat and urban music circles in the UK and Nigeria, is now expected to be deported back to Nigeria following the completion of his prison sentence.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division, which played a key role in uncovering the scheme, has issued a warning to businesses and individuals to be more vigilant about protecting sensitive data, especially during tax season.
“Cyber-fraud and email phishing schemes remain a serious threat,” said IRS Special Agent Jay Green. “We urge all companies, especially HR departments, to verify the authenticity of email requests involving sensitive data. Criminals are constantly evolving, and we must stay one step ahead.”
Uduebor’s conviction is part of a wider crackdown on international fraud rings exploiting U.S. tax systems through cyber-enabled crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice has collaborated with agencies in Europe, including the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), to track and extradite suspects involved in similar schemes.
For now, Onomen Uduebor will spend the next three years and four months behind bars in a U.S. federal facility, before facing deportation and likely further investigations in his home country.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor developments related to this case and broader fraud investigations involving African nationals abroad.
