A Nigerian national living in Sydney has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to his role in a large-scale online romance scam targeting Australians.
Ugochukwu Anyakorah, 33, was arrested in 2023 and later confessed to handling nearly $890,000 in criminal proceeds.
Authorities discovered his involvement after raiding his North Rocks apartment in Sydney’s suburbs. The investigation revealed that he was connected to an international web of cybercriminals operating romance scams across multiple countries. The case drew attention due to the scale of the fraud and his ties to a secretive cult group.
Anyakorah had been working in mental health support, but behind the scenes, he acted as a key contact in a fraud network. He helped manage and transfer stolen money on behalf of other scammers. His activities came under investigation after the United States FBI tipped off Australian police in 2022.
Police investigations found links between Anyakorah and the Buccaneers, a Nigerian cult group notorious for online fraud. Evidence from his phones showed encrypted chats with over 50 individuals. They shared hundreds of bank accounts from nearly 30 countries, pointing to a coordinated global scam network.
Court documents also revealed that Anyakorah and another unnamed man in Australia had access to at least 71 local accounts. Many of these were flagged by banks or victims as part of fraud cases. Over $11.7 million had been funneled or attempted to be funneled through these accounts.
Messages found on his devices included discussions related to cult rituals and organizational activities, further confirming his connection to the Buccaneers Association of Nigeria. The group has been identified as a key player in many cross-border scams, particularly those exploiting people seeking companionship online.
Anyakorah is expected to serve his full sentence until at least 2027 before being considered for release. His case highlights the growing issue of international cybercrime rings using personal relationships as a cover for financial fraud. Australian authorities continue to investigate potential links to other individuals involved in the scam.