Aliyu was extradited from South Africa to face prosecution in the United States, where he was found guilty of participating in the cybercrime scheme. The court also ordered him to forfeit $1.2 million and pay $2.4 million in restitution.
Following the completion of his prison term, he is expected to be deported from the United States.
Investigators from the U.S. Homeland Security agency worked alongside international partners in Maryland and South Africa to track, arrest, and successfully prosecute those involved in the case.
The case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime across borders and underscores the importance of global cooperation among law enforcement agencies in tackling financial fraud.
It also serves as a warning that cyber-related crimes, including email fraud and hacking schemes, are treated as serious offenses in many countries, with offenders facing lengthy prison sentences and significant financial penalties.
