The United States has released Nigerian entrepreneur and convicted fraudster Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi, after he spent about six years in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Checks on the website of the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) show that Okeke was no longer in custody as of Wednesday, December 23, 2025. The BOP record stated that he was “Not in BOP Custody as of: 12/23/2025.”

Okeke, who was arrested in 2019, has been released from U.S. custody, with deportation arrangements reportedly underway in line with the terms of his plea agreement. He had been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in February 2021 after pleading guilty to charges linked to an $11 million fraud.

Based on the original sentence, Okeke was expected to remain in custody until September 3, 2028. However, the circumstances surrounding his early release remain unclear. It is speculated he may have been placed on supervised release or granted another form of reprieve. Analysts also noted that a transfer to a state prison was unlikely, as Okeke was convicted of federal crimes.

Okeke was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in August 2019 at Dulles International Airport in Virginia while attempting to depart the United States. Investigations showed that he and his accomplices carried out a business email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industrial and agricultural equipment.

Court filings revealed that in April 2018, a Unatrac executive fell victim to a phishing email that enabled the conspirators to obtain login credentials. The group subsequently sent fraudulent wire transfer requests supported by fake invoices, diverting millions of dollars meant for the company. Authorities estimated that the scheme yielded about $11 million.

In Nigeria, the Federal High Court ordered the temporary forfeiture of more than ₦280 million traced to Okeke’s bank accounts.

Before his conviction, Okeke, now 38, was a prominent figure in African business circles. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2016 and later recognised among the publication’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans. He was also known as the founder of Invictus Group, with reported investments across construction, agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunications, and real estate.

Okeke’s meteoric rise in the business world was seen as a symbol of African entrepreneurial success. His story was widely celebrated, and he was frequently invited to speak at international conferences and business forums. However, his arrest and subsequent conviction sent shockwaves through the continent’s business community, raising questions about due diligence and the authenticity of some high-profile entrepreneurs.

The business email compromise (BEC) scheme for which Okeke was convicted is a sophisticated form of cybercrime that has targeted companies and organizations worldwide. By infiltrating corporate email systems, fraudsters are able to impersonate executives and authorize fraudulent wire transfers, often resulting in significant financial losses for victims. The U.S. Department of Justice has described BEC as one of the most financially damaging online crimes, with global losses running into billions of dollars annually.

During his trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Okeke’s involvement in orchestrating the scheme, including email correspondence, financial records, and testimony from co-conspirators. Okeke ultimately pleaded guilty, expressing remorse for his actions and agreeing to forfeit assets linked to the proceeds of the crime.

Following his release from prison, Okeke faces deportation to Nigeria, where he may still be subject to further legal proceedings or asset forfeiture. The Nigerian authorities have previously indicated their intention to pursue additional investigations into his activities and to recover assets believed to have been acquired through illicit means.

The case of Obinwanne Okeke serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of cyber-enabled fraud and the importance of robust corporate security measures. It also highlights the need for greater scrutiny of business leaders and the stories that propel them to fame. As Okeke prepares to return to Nigeria, his legacy remains a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change—and how the consequences of fraud can reverberate far beyond the courtroom.