Nigerian Afrobeats Artist Indicted for $500K Email Scam Targeting Ohio City
Parma Heights, Ohio – Saturday, May 11, 2025 | 8:45 AM (EST)
A Nigerian-born Afrobeats artist based in the United States has been federally indicted for allegedly defrauding the city of Parma Heights, Ohio, of over half a million dollars through an elaborate business email compromise (BEC) scam. The accused, identified as Chinedu Opute — who also goes by the stage name NPZ — faces multiple charges of wire fraud and identity theft following a multi-agency investigation.
The case dates back to June 2023, when officials from the Parma Heights city administration unknowingly fell victim to a sophisticated cyberattack. According to court filings and city reports, a staff member’s email account was compromised by cybercriminals. Using the breached account, the suspects sent a fraudulent invoice requesting a payment of $504,576.01 — claiming to be a legitimate contractor involved in city infrastructure work.
Believing the invoice to be genuine, city officials wired the funds to a bank account that, unbeknownst to them, had been set up as part of the scam. It was only after a second suspicious invoice surfaced days later that city authorities, working alongside their bank’s fraud team, recognized irregularities and alerted the Parma Heights Police Department.
The local police, in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and cybersecurity experts, traced the digital footprint and financial transactions linked to the initial payment. Investigators discovered that the funds had been rapidly transferred across multiple accounts and converted through a complex laundering network.
Eventually, the trail led them to Chinedu Opute in Atlanta, Georgia, where he had been residing. He was arrested in late April 2025 on federal charges and is currently in custody awaiting transfer to Cleveland, Ohio, for formal arraignment.
According to court documents, Opute has been under surveillance for months and may be connected to a wider cybercrime ring that has targeted public institutions and private companies across the United States. Authorities believe he used his business ventures, including a music label, to obscure the origin of illicit funds.
Opute, also known as NPZ (Naija Pikinz), has been active in the Afrobeats scene both in Nigeria and the diaspora. He has performed in venues across the U.S. and collaborated with other artists. While his music career appeared to be his main occupation, investigators now allege that he used his business front as a cover for illegal activities involving cyber fraud and identity theft.
Mayor Marie Gallo of Parma Heights confirmed that the city had been targeted and expressed disappointment over the breach but reassured the public that new safeguards are now in place.
“This was an unfortunate but serious wake-up call for our administration,” Mayor Gallo said in a press briefing. “We’ve since upgraded our cybersecurity infrastructure, initiated mandatory employee training, and implemented a multi-layer verification process for all financial transactions.”
Officials say a portion of the lost funds has been recovered through the city’s cyber liability insurance policy, but it may take months or even years to trace and reclaim the full amount.
U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko emphasized the growing threat posed by BEC schemes, which have cost U.S. organizations billions over the past decade.
“This case highlights the increasing complexity of cyber-enabled fraud, especially when it targets essential services like city governments,” she said. “We urge all public and private institutions to implement strong email authentication protocols, regularly train staff, and double-verify payment requests — especially those involving large sums.”
Detective Sergeant Eric Taylor of Parma Heights Police echoed that sentiment: “We’re seeing a rise in these crimes because they rely on human error. If something seems off, even slightly, always confirm through a secondary channel.”
Opute is expected to appear before a federal judge in Cleveland later this month. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and additional penalties for aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors have also moved to freeze accounts and seize properties linked to the suspect pending further investigation.
The case remains open as law enforcement authorities explore possible connections to international fraud networks, some of which operate in coordination with criminal syndicates in West Africa.
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