The Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in Downtown Fresno. File photo
A Franklin, Tennessee man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme that diverted more than $1.5 million from Fresno County through fraudulent electronic payments, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Jafaar September Nyangoro, 53, admitted to his role in a scheme that required getting unauthorized access used by the finance director of a Fresno non-profit.
Prosecutors said Nyangoro, co-defendant Peter Bah Acha of Berlin, Germany and others used the compromised account to submit fraudulent invoices and impersonate the nonprofit’s finance director.
The defendants allegedly informed Fresno County employees that the nonprofit’s banking information had changed and directed payments to a bank account Nyangoro had opened. County employees updated the information under the assumption the request was legitimate.
Between Sept. 24 and Oct.13 in 2020, Fresno County made several Automated Clearing House transfers that added up to more than $1.5 million to Nyangoro’s account instead of the nonprofit’s, according to court records.
The nonprofit was Turning Point Solutions of Central California, which provides behavioral health and substance abuse disorder services. County officials said that they recovered around $112,000 after discovering the fraud, while insurance covered $875,000 in losses.
Investigators said Nyangoro and others communicated through WhatsApp. After some transactions were reversed by Regions Bank due to suspected fraud, Nyangoro allegedly messaged: “We’re in deep s***. The last 3 transactions from County of Fresno have been reversed. Please call me ASAP!”
Nyangoro is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21, and faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution.