Ekuma Chinedu

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A now-former Lehigh University professor has admitted to running a wire fraud scheme that stole nearly $2 million from victims, according to court documents, federal prosecutors, and a statement from the University shared with DailyVoice on Thursday, Dec. 4. 

Chinedu Ekuma, 45, of Catasauqua, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge John M. Gallagher to two counts of wire fraud after acknowledging he carried out the scheme from August 2020 through March 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

According to prosecutors, Ekuma used two entities — Intelaris Solutions, LLC and Verge Capital — to trick individuals and businesses into sending payments intended for legitimate recipients. He opened bank accounts in the names of those companies and falsely represented that the accounts belonged to the businesses or people the victims intended to pay, the release said.

He and co-schemers also created fraudulent documents claiming Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital were entitled to those payments. After the funds were transferred, Ekuma sent most of the money to co-schemers and kept a portion for himself, according to the DOJ.

The scheme caused more than $1.75 million to be deposited into the fraud-controlled accounts, and the conspirators attempted to obtain another $650,000, prosecutors stated.

Ekuma is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12 and faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in federal prison, according to the release.

The case was investigated by FBI, Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis Weber.

Background From Public Academic Profiles

Ekuma had been publicly listed as a professor and researcher whose work focused on computational condensed matter physics, quantum chemistry, and materials science, according to his academic biography. His research group described its work as using advanced computer simulations and ab-initio modeling to study 2D materials, heterostructures, defects in solids, correlated materials, and electronic transport phenomena. His profile also outlined experience with density functional theory, Green’s function–based methods, and predictive computational design.

Publicly available academic listings show Ekuma earned a PhD in Computational Condensed Matter Physics from Louisiana State University in 2015, a Master’s degree from Southern University in 2010, and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Physics from Ebonyi State University in 2007.

His online profiles also listed prior honors, including work as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Lab and as a National Academies/National Research Council Fellow.

Lehigh University confirmed to Daily Voice on Thursday, Dec. 4, that Ekuma is no longer employed there, stating:

“The individual is no longer associated with the university.”

Recent Criminal Cases Involving International At Lehigh University

This case follows a series of high-profile incidents involving international students at Lehigh University in recent years.

Student Who Faked Admission And Received $127K In Aid

In May 2025, Daily Voice reported that Cryilstan Sowah-Nai, originally from Ghana, pleaded no contest to securing execution of documents by deception after investigators found he falsified information on his Lehigh application. He gained admission, received a student visa, and collected $127,213.70 in educational benefits before the university rescinded his admission during his third semester.

He was sentenced to time served and transferred to ICE for deportation.

His previously public LinkedIn profile portrayed him as a rising leader in global health and claimed involvement in Lehigh’s Social Impact Fellowship.

Another Student Used A Fake Death Certificate

In June 2024, Aryan Anand, a student from India, pleaded guilty after a Reddit confession revealed he forged transcripts, financial records, and even submitted a fraudulent death certificate for his living father to obtain a full scholarship.

Lehigh officials pushed for his removal, and he has since been deported to India.

“This was great work by Lehigh and their police force,” Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinert said at the time.

Roommate Poisoning Case Turned Deadly Serious

In March 2021, former Lehigh student Yukai Yang, 25, from China, was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for poisoning his roommate, Juwan Royal, with thallium. Royal suffered severe symptoms before doctors diagnosed heavy metal poisoning.

Yang also faced ethnic intimidation charges for writing a racial slur on Royal’s belongings.

He must serve at least seven years before becoming eligible for deportation to China, and remains under a federal immigration detainer.