A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted a Nigerian national, Kenneth Godwin, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and unauthorised access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons in a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to the statement, Godwin is accused of participating in an international fraud scheme targeting Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel located in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Authorities alleged that between May 2023 and March 2026, Godwin, believed to be residing in Nigeria during the period, conspired with others to embezzle funds from the casino and hotel for personal enrichment.
Parsons said the indictment underscores the commitment of U.S. law enforcement agencies to pursuing fraud suspects regardless of their location.
“No agency on earth is better at this than the FBI.
“They will track down those who steal from and commit fraud against the people of the United States wherever those offenders may be,” Parsons said.
Also speaking, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, Christopher D. Dotson, described the alleged fraud as an international Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that caused substantial financial losses.
“His international business e-mail compromise scheme caused substantial financial damage to a business owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
“This indictment demonstrates how the FBI works daily to dismantle criminal enterprises targeting businesses and citizens across the United States,” Dotson said.
If convicted, Godwin could face up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to 250,000 dollars, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory 100-dollar contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The court may also order restitution to victims.
The Department of Justice noted that the charges are allegations only and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting.
