https://foxbaltimore.com/news/marylands-most-wanted/man-convicted-in-million-dollar-bec-scheme-investigation-wanted-agents-say

A Liberian national and Maryland resident convicted in connection to a more than 7 million dollar Business Email Compromise or BEC scheme is wanted by the US Marshals Service.

Sheikh Kante, 41, is wanted for a supervised release violation.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in October 2024.

According to the FBI, a BEC scheme is a sophisticated scam that targets businesses and individuals who perform transfer-of-funds requests.

The scheme is carried out when a perpetrator compromises legitimate business or personal email accounts through computer intrusion to conduct unauthorized transfers of funds, according to the federal agency.

Federal documents chronicle the investigation that dates back to 2020 when investigators said an employee of a healthcare company in the state of Washington reported his wallet, work badge and cell phone had been stolen from his vehicle.

Investigators said using that information the perpetrator ultimately gained access to the company’s billing platform and changed the payment routing information to the bank account of a third party or ‘money mule.’

The investigation uncovered eight wire transfers totaling more than $7 million, according to the statement of charges.

The following year investigators said a second business was targeted. This time a real estate agency in Ohio.

Investigators said using a spoof email address the perpetrator redirected a client’s more than $80,000.00 down payment on a condominium.

According to the statement of charges, Kante was a recipient of funds stolen through the schemes, and used shell companies to launder his criminal proceeds.

This included wiring funds overseas to a bank in Nigeria, and to Kante’s brother in Liberia, according to the statement of charges.

Kante was arrested and in 2022 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

Kante was sentenced to 20 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution.

In 2024, federal authorities said Kante violated the terms of his supervised release.

The US Marshals Service has now joined the search for Kante.

“Due to his ties to Liberia, officials believe Kante could be a flight risk and are seeking assistance from the public with taking him into custody,” said Al Maresca, Deputy Marshal with the US Marshals Service.