DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A 44-year-old Decatur woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and probation for her role in a business email compromise scheme that stole $158,000 from an agricultural business.
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Ogechi Urenna Udunka pleaded guilty in Gwinnett County Superior Court to two counts of theft by taking and two counts of money laundering.
Under the First Offender Act, a judge ordered Udunka to serve the first 90 days of her 10-year sentence in prison, with the remaining time on probation. Udunka must also pay full restitution and complete 200 hours of community service.
Assistant Attorney General Joseph Chappelle prosecuted the case after an investigation by the Attorney General’s White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit.
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The scheme occurred in June 2021 when an agricultural company sought to buy strawberry seeds from an Oregon supplier. An unknown schemer sent payment requests to the agricultural business using an email address that was nearly identical to the Oregon company’s legitimate address.
The agricultural company subsequently sent two wire transfers on June 15, 2021, and June 30, 2021, totaling $158,000.
Once the money reached her account, Udunka executed several financial transactions aimed at hiding the origin of the funds before distributing the money to herself and others.
Cyber schemes of this type generated over $3 billion in losses last year, according to data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said state efforts are designed track and prosecute cybercrime networks.
“Our White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit is leading the fight against cyber-enabled fraud – protecting businesses and consumers,” Carr said. “This is a growing threat and it’s why we have continued to pursue those who are moving stolen funds so we can stop a scam in its tracks. We also know that education is key and we would encourage all Georgians to learn how to recognize and report online fraud so you can better protect your data, network and devices.”
State officials recommend that anyone targeted by cyber fraud or romance schemes file reports with their financial institution, local law enforcement and the FBI’s crime complaint portal.
The Georgia Consumer Protection Division also provides educational guides on cyber safety for small businesses, older adults and military families.
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