The United States Department of Homeland Security has published the names, photographs and criminal records of several African nationals arrested by immigration authorities.
The individuals appear on a public database known as the “Worst of the Worst” portal, which contains details of foreign nationals arrested during Department of Homeland Security enforcement operations.
The searchable platform allows users to review entries by name, nationality and place of arrest. DHS said it created the portal to show the people being targeted under the government’s immigration enforcement and removal campaign.
Nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria are among those listed for offences including robbery, assault, burglary, fraud, drug-related crimes and cybercrime.
Some entries involve allegations or arrest records, while others relate to cases in which the individuals were convicted and sentenced. Inclusion on the portal should therefore not be interpreted as meaning that every listed person is facing only an allegation.
Kenyans named on the DHS portal
The Kenyan nationals listed include Bethuel Gathu, who was arrested in Chowchilla, California, in connection with robbery.
Corri Edward was arrested in Houston, Texas, over offences listed as cocaine sale, burglary and fraud, while Clement Mulovi was listed for fraud.
Kevin Gunyanyi, arrested in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was linked to assault and terroristic threats. Mbeti Ndonga, arrested in Georgia, was listed for larceny, property damage, obstruction of police and terroristic threats.
Ugandans included on the list
Ugandan national Isaac Kanamwangi was arrested in Conroe, Texas. The portal links him to burglary, discharging a firearm and making terroristic threats.
Adrian Kawuba, arrested in Pennsylvania, was listed in connection with wire fraud and assault.
Winner Mangeni, who was detained in Lowell, Massachusetts, was listed for allegedly fleeing to avoid prosecution or confinement.
Tanzanian nationals listed
Jamila Akber Kassam was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, over larceny and cheque forgery, according to the published records.
Mutayoba Rulamka was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia, and listed in connection with assault and making false statements.
Nigerians linked to major cybercrime cases
The Nigerian names on the portal include individuals convicted in major federal cybercrime and business email compromise cases.
Obinwanne Okeke
Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2021 for his role in a computer intrusion and business email compromise scheme.
US prosecutors said the operation caused about $11 million in losses. The scheme involved fraudulent emails, stolen login details and unauthorised wire-transfer requests targeting businesses in different countries.
Oriyomi Aloba
Oriyomi Sadiq Aloba was convicted of hacking into the Los Angeles Superior Court’s computer system and using compromised accounts to distribute about two million phishing emails.
The emails were designed to obtain victims’ banking details, credit card information and other personal data. Aloba was sentenced to 145 months in federal prison in October 2019.
Chibundu Anuebunwa
Chibundu Joseph Anuebunwa was sentenced to 66 months in prison in October 2023 for participating in business email compromise scams that targeted thousands of victims.
US prosecutors said the schemes attempted to steal more than $3.5 million and caused actual losses exceeding $2.5 million. He was also ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution.