In early January 2022, the EFCC has changed its domain name from
efccnigeria.org (which it has been for many years) to efcc.gov.ng
The effect of this is that any links To pages and articles on their
website that use efccnigeria.org as the domain, do not work. This
is a Kazillion of links to their site out in internet-land that no
longer work.
Either every single link to all of these articles and pages will
have to be changed and updated to the new domain ( efcc.gov.ng )
by every single site or webpage which linked to the old domain
( efccnigeria.org ) OR the EFCC will have to make Every Single
Page on its site accessible via BOTH the old and the new domains.
In short, the two domains will have to be made universally equivialent,
so that in effect, for all practical purposes, one is the same as
the other.
419 Coalition knows this can be done, as we did it on our Own site
when we changed our domain from home.rica.net/alphae/419coal to
419Coalition.org .
To be blunt, so far the "rollout" of this new domain by the EFCC
has been an absolute disaster for the agency, given that it has
kaputed Many Thousands of links to the EFCC site internet-wide.
We've told them this in no uncertain terms and have told them
they need to Fix this problem quickly so that ALL the links -
old domain and new domain - to their site and pages therein work.
We await developments..... but are not hopeful
***************************************
21 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has secured the convictions
of one Fabulous Peter and Osahun O. Aiseosa (a.k.a) Wesley Jackson before Justice
D.Z Sanchi of the FCT High Court sitting in Jabi.
They were arrested upon an intelligence report about their suspicious movements
and ostensible lifestyles.
They were allegedly housed by one Aleri E.B Sajo, at Cluster 4, River Park Estate,
Airport Road Abuja.
The convicts were said to have converted the named address to their hideout and
office, using laptops, phones, browsers and other devices, to send emails to scam
foreigners and unsuspecting citizens.
Aiseosa, (a.k.a) Wesley Jackson was alleged to have sometimes in June, 2018 at A
buja, fraudulently induced an American, Dian Mary, and defrauded her to the tune
of $15,000, equivalent of N5, 400, 000 (Five Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira)
via Guarantee Trust Bank Plc Account No 0167955239.
The convict posed as a Malaysian Company Director with a Malaysian Company, Oil
Rig Contractors and professed love to Mary, using email address: wesletjack@yahoo.com.
The offence is contrary to section 320(a) of the penal code, Laws of the federation
of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.
Peter and Aiseosa were arraigned separately, thereafter pleaded "guilty" to their
charges when it was read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Maryam Aminu Mohammed, thereafter urged the court to convict
them in view of their pleas.
Justice Senchi convicted them and sentenced them to 12 months imprisonment with an
option of N1, 000, 000 (One Million Naira) fine each.
The Judge also ordered that properties recovered from them be forfeited to the
Federal Government.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains a photo of each
convict, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3591-efcc-secures-conviction-of-two-internet-fraudsters
******************************************
20 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Ten Suspected Internet Fraudsters
The Port Harcourt's Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has arrested ten suspected Internet fraudsters. They were arrested in different locations
and at different times across Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Warri (Delta State) and Asaba
(Delta State) in a sting operation.
The suspects are: Alia Jamike Chinemerem; Ogbiugba Ifeany Henry; Uchanna Cyril; Samuel
Obomovo; Israel Ogagaoghene; Israel Diaso; Aghariagbonse Destiny; Aretuemhen Frank, Paul
Esibhakpen and Loius Idehen. Investigations showed that the suspects were involved in love
scam with many of them purporting to be officers of American Army.
Various scam mails where the suspects posed as officers of US Army were traced to them. One
of the suspects, Israel Diasco had successfully defrauded an Indian lady, Promilla Lama of huge
amount of money still being verified. Another, Chinemerem, (alias Good Thaddy) confessed to
be a picker.
A picker is a fraudster that provides foreign accounts to other Internet fraudsters which
they usually used to receive money from any unfortunate victim. A picker is allegedly paid
30% of the total amount received in any of such accounts.
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt's Zonal Office has secured 33 convictions so far in 2018. This
was disclosed on Thursday, 20th December, 2018 by the Zonal Head, Mr. Nnaghe Obono Itam in
a News Conference in Port Harcourt.
Also, a total sum of N1, 674, 891, 899( One Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Four Million,
Eight Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Naira) only had been
recovered during the period. Also recovered were various sums of $ 552, 368. 55 (Five Hundred
and Fifty Two Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Fifty Five Dollars) and
5, 225 Euros.
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt's Zonal office has commenced investigation of a total number
of 358 (Three Hundred and Fifty Eight) Trucks arrested for sundry illegal oil bunkering
cases. They were handed over to the EFCC by the 6 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Itam said that the volume of petroleum products carried by the Trucks was 219, 688. 27
metric tonnes. The products are suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). 18 Oil Vessels,
13 Barges and 2 Boats were also being investigated for illegal oil bunkering offenses.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3589-efcc-arrests-ten-suspected-internet-fraudsters
***********************************************
18 DEC 2018
From the NIgerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Secures Conviction of Three Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned and secured the convictions
of three Internet fraudsters, fondly referred to as "yahoo-yahoo boys", on December 18, 2018.
The boys – Emeka Anyanechi Ekene, 27; Anthony Oghuma, 26, and Onokebhagbe Okouromi Franklin,
25 were brought before Justice D.Z. Senchi of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court,
Jabi, for various offences bordering on Internet fraud.
Ekene was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on cheating, and for specializing in
inducing his victims through a Facebook account, to part with their hard earned money.
The offence contravenes Section 95 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
(Abuja) 1990.
Oghuma, on his part, was arraigned on a one-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false
pretence. He allegedly induced a Canadian who goes simply by the name, David, to transfer
N2 million to him. The offence contravenes Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law.
Franklin was arraigned on a four-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence,
for inducing a New York-based divorcee who goes by the name, Mary, posing as Peter Mark,
a Contractor based in Malaysia. He swindled Mary of $10,000 (about N3.6million) and lured
her to send him several expensive gadgets including: Apple Macbook Laptop, Apple Iphone X,
Apple Iphone 7, amongst others. His offence contravenes Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code,
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the
same law.
They did not waste the time of the court as they all pleaded "guilty" to the charges.
Their journey to prison followed an intelligence report received by the EFCC on November
30, 2018, concerning the fraudulent activities of some fraudsters, housed by one Alheri
E. B. Sajo, at Cluster 4, River Park in Abuja.
Investigations into the report, revealed that the fraudsters had turned the said property
into their "office", equipped with computer laptops and sophisticated phones to defraud
Nigerians and foreigners alike. Further investigation also revealed that monies made through
their fraudulent activities were used to buy exotic cars, phone, as they lived large.
In view of their separate guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel, Maryam Ahmed, informed the
court that they had entered into plea bargains with the EFCC.
Before Justice Senchi delivered his judgement, he cautioned the convicts and commended
the EFCC for putting so much work in curbing Internet fraud, which has given the country
a bad image in the international community.
"We don’t have any other country. It has been done. What will be the impression of the
victim, when you go out there and introduce yourself as a Nigerian? How would you feel
if you were in the shoes of the victims?", the judge said.
The trial judge, thereafter, sentenced Oghuma to 12 months in prison, with an option
of fine of N500, 000. The court aslo ordered that the N2 million he fraudulently obtained
be forfeited to the Federal Government; Franklin was sentenced to 3 months, without an
option of fine, while Ekene was sentenced to 6 months with an option of fine of N250, 000
Here is the URL ofg the press release, which contains pcitures of
the three convicts, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3580-efcc-secures-conviction-of-three-internet-fraudsters
******************************************
17 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Corps Member Over Alleged £12.5m Internet Fraud
The Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
on December 17, 2018 arraigned Ogbonna Victor Chibuzor, a serving member of
the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC before Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal
High Court, Enugu on a five-count charge bordering on intent to defraud, and
possession of fraudulent documents contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee
Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section
1 (3) of the same Act.
Ogbanna’s arrest was sequel to series of raids carried out by operatives over
the past one week in which several suspected fraudsters in their early 20s,
alleged to be engaging in online fraud, were arrested having been found to be
living a flamboyant lifestyle not commensurate to the means of livelihood.
Analysis carried out on the computer of the suspected fraudster revealed certain
incriminating documents intended to be used in swindling gullible Nigerians and
foreigners alike.
Further investigations disclosed that Ogbanna uses his e-mail address activitygeneral@hotmail.com
to send unsolicited emails to his victims using fake or stolen identity to legitimize his
nefarious activities.
One of the documents was addressed to one Alan Christopher of BG Group Plc, Thames Valley
Park, Reading, RG6, Berkshire, United Kingdom, with a rider 'Your attention is needed" and
a second paragraph talking about a UK Pounds 12,500,000 (Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand
Pounds Sterling) unclaimed contract fund.
Another document found with the accused was a purported "Contract Award Certificate" to
one Michael Morgan of 101 Brooklyn, New York, United State of America, on "Directing and
Fixing of Oil Spillage" in the Niger Delta signed by the Chairman, Contract Tender Board
and Chairman, Legal Department of Chevron Nigeria.
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges preferred against him occasioning his counsel
E.O. Isiwu to move a motion for bail, which was opposed by prosecuting counsel, Innocent
Mbachie.
The presiding judge, however, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500, 000
(Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and one surety in like sum. The surety, he ruled, "must
have a landed property in Enugu which must be verified by the Commissioner of Lands".
Ogbonna is to be remanded in prison custody until he fulfils his bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned to January 30, 2019.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains a photo,
for as long as it is good;
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3573-efcc-arraigns-corps-member-over-alleged-12-5m-internet-fraud
**************************************************
14 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Court Sentences Two to Jail for Fraud
Benin Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday
December 14, 2018 secured the convictions of two fraudsters at the Federal High
Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State. One of the convicts, Emeodi Chuks was
arraigned on a one count charge bordering on fraudulent trick and attempting
to obtain by false pretence.
Upon his arraignment, Emeodi pleaded guilty to the charge and was consequently
convicted and sentenced by Justice M. G Umar to six months imprisonment.
The charge reads, "That you Emeodi Chuks on or about the 13th of December, 2017
in Benin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did by means of fraudulent
trick; attempted to obtain money from one Vinno Alves when you represented yourself
as the owner of a huge sum of money with United Overseas Bank (UOB) through your
email account: Mathew_ rawlings@yahoo.com, contrary to Section 421 of the criminal
Code Act; Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,C39, 2004 and punishable under Section
510 of the same Acts".
Also convicted by Justice Umar is Kenneth Osamuyi Aganwonyi, who was arraigned on
a one count charge bordering on obtaining by fraudulent trick. He was said to have
fraudulently obtained some money from one Fatima Umar. Upon his arraignment, Aganwonyi
pleaded guilty to the charge and was consequently convicted and sentenced to six months
imprisonment
The court also ordered that all assets recovered from the defendant as proceeds
of crime be forfeited to the victim through the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains photos,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3564-court-sentences-two-to-jail-for-fraud
**********************************
14 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economis Financial and Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man Over $4, 607 Alleged Internet Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt's zonal office,
on Friday, 14 December, 2018, arraigned one Gift Njekwe Onyinechi (a.k.a) Mario Amando
before Justice H. I. O. Oshoma of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State on 11-count charges bordering on internet fraud and obtaining money
by false pretences to the tune of $4,607.88 (Four Thousand Six Hundred and Seven
Dollars, Eighty Eight Cent).
Onyinechi was arrested at Rumuagholu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sometimes in 2016,
by operatives of the EFCC, following intelligence report on his alleged involvement
in internet-related scam. Phones and other fraudulent documents were recovered from
him at the point of arrest.
Count one of the charge read: "That you, Gift Njekwe Onyinechi (a.k.a) Mario Amando,
on or about the 4th day of October, 2015 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the
jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of
$209.99 (USD) through moneygram from one Mario Felix Martinex, under the pretence
that the said sum is an advance fees for processing tax clearance for their monies
been held in CBN, which you purported to have the capacity to secure for them, a
pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and
Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, F. O Dibang asked the court to fix a
date for the commencement of trial and that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
However, counsel to the defendant, Alex Igwe, told the court that he had filed a bail
application for his client at the court's registry and served same to the prosecution.
He urged the court to grant his prayers.
Justice Oshoma adjourned the case to 17 December, 2018 for bail hearing and 4, 5, 6
March, 2019 for trial. He ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending
the determination of his bail.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3565-efcc-arraigns-man-over-4-607-alleged-internet-scam
*******************************************
14 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Raids Homes of Alleged Internet Fraudsters in Enugu
The South-East Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has raided the homes of two alleged internet fraudsters: Okechukwu Donald Akachukwu
and a couple, Onuora Edgar and his wife, Onuora Adaora Lynda, at Independence
Layout, Enugu.
The raid was consequent upon the resolve by the Acting Chairman of the Commission,
Ibrahim Magu to intensify the Commission’s fight against internet and cyber fraudsters
across the country.
Intelligence report gathered by the Commission regarding some people living in opulence
lifestyle without any known means of livelihood revealed that the suspects have been
defrauding many unsuspecting victims of huge sums of money through their nefarious
operations and used such to acquire choice properties across the zone.
A search conducted on the houses and premises traced to the suspects, revealed incriminating
items which include: a Mercury Fluorescent lamp used in detecting fake currencies; suspected
counterfeited foreign currencies; telephone handsets and other items suspected to be tools
of their despicable trade.
Other items recovered from the suspects include: a Toyota Venza SUV, ATM Cards from
various banks, and an Apple Macbook laptop.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon investigations into the matter are concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3563-efcc-raids-homes-of-alleged-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu
***************************************
14 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Fraudster, Banker who Defrauded Hong Kong National
in UK Pounds 79,000 Romance Scam
A banker and Account Officer with Access Bank, Ojo Adefemi Adedoyin, who allegedly
connived with one Favour Oriafoh, 30, to defraud a Hong Kong national, Xu Yue of
UK Pounds 79,000 (Seventy Nine Thousand Pounds) have been arrested by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Their arrest came, following investigation into a petition received from the Hong Kong
Police Force, that the young lady was a victim of romance scam traced to Nigeria.
Admitting to the crime, Oriafoh who goes by the con name, Terry Mac, confessed that
he opened a FaceBook account in the name, just to defraud whoever falls prey to his baits.
"She had fallen in love with me as Terry Mac, a football agent," he said.
He thereafter took advantage of her love and defrauded her of the said amount, using
the domiciliary account of one Adeyemi Hassan Adedeji.
During interrogation, he confessed that the Banker, Adedoyin, provided him with the
domiciliary account information to which the money was transferred to.
"The agreement was that whatever funds were received through the account, the account
officer and the owner of the account will be entitled to 15 per cent of the funds,"
he confessed.
The Banker has made useful information to the Commission and they will soon be charge
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3562-efcc-arrests-fraudster-banker-who-defrauded-hong-kong-national-in-79-000-romance-scam
***************************************
12 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Magu Congratulates Ex-EFCC Chair, Ribadu on Global Anti-Corruption Award
Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has congratulated the pioneer Chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, for winning the most
coveted Global Lifetime Award for Anti-Corruption.
Magu, who worked closely with Ribadu as one of the pioneer staff of the anti-graft agency,
described the honour conferred on Ribadu by the Qatar-based Think Tank, Rule of Law and
Anti-Corruption Centre, as "a testament to the formidable work which you have done in
promoting good governance and accountability in the conduct of public affairs in Nigeria,
Africa and across the world".
While describing the award as a very well-deserved one, Magu, noted that "it is delightful
that the world has not forgotten your pioneering efforts in establishing the culture of
accountability especially in Africa".
"Your trailblazing exploits as pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission was a turning point in smashing the global stereotype of Africa as a corrupt
continent," he added.
According to Magu, "For us at the EFCC, this award is both a source of personal joy,
as it is an affirmation of the work of the agency, which you led between 2003 and 2007,
as well as an inspiration to continue in your footsteps, assured that whatever sacrifices
we make today, will not be in vain."
For Magu, the award of Ribadu, was an "encouragement that it is profitable to uphold the
virtues of integrity at a time that rogue elements in our midst will have the people believe
otherwise".
"With this honour, we have no doubt that your place in the league of respected icons
of anti-corruption is fully cemented," he said.
Here is the URL of the article for as long as it is good"
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3549-magu-congratulates-ex-efcc-chair-ribadu-on-global-anti-corruption-award
419 Coalition Note: We'd like to add our Compliments, as both Mr. Nuhu Ribadu
and his successor, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, did demontrate a desire and willingness
to work with us on Counter-419 matters when they were in office, and we appreciated
that.
*******************************************************
12 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Suspected 24 Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Office has arraigned
twenty four students of Olabisi Onabanjo University and the National Open University
of Nigeria who were arrested for alleged involvement in various cyber crimes.
Ten of the defendants which include: Agboola Taiwo, Adetayo Tade Ademiluyi, Rabiu Daniel,
Sokoya Oluwaseyi, Fredrick Shaibu, Oshikoya Gbolahan, Adegbola Kazeem Aina, Ademosun Opeyemi,
Tosin Awobona and Babarinde Jacob were arraigned Monday, 10th December, 2018 before
Hon. Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court 2 sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Fourteen others, comprising of Adeleke Oluwamayowa, Banjo Femi, Towolawi Olanrewaju,
Tijani Babatunde, Sarafadeen Abibullahi, Adebowale Abimbola, Osunkoya Korede, Mufutau
Yusuf Akorede, Salisu Ajibola, Olamikan Oluwasiji, Oduwole Gbenga, Damilare Adelaja,
Bakare Azeez Adebola and Edward Ayodeji were arraigned on Tuesday 11th December, 2018
before Hon. Justice M. S. Abubakar of the Federal High Court 1 sitting in Abeokuta,
Ogun State.
The defendants were all arraigned on separate charges bordering on obtaining money
by false pretences, impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
One of the charges against one of the accused persons reads: "That you, Rabiu Daniel
(a.K.a. Agent Howard Hall) on 23rd June, 2018 at Abeokuta within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court with intent to defraud, knowingly had in your possession documents containing
false pretences to wit: an e-mail address, howardhall900@gmail.com wherein you represented
yourself as; Agent Howard Hall, working for the Government/Facebook Compensation Bonus and
Poverty Eradication, and other false pretences, thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 6, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud
Related Offences Act 2006".
Another charge reads: "That you Adegbola Kazeem Aina (a.K.a. Marry Linson) sometimes in
2018, at Abeokuta within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud,
obtained the sum of $350 (Three Hundred and Fifty United State of American Dollars) from
David Davis, a United State of American Citizen when you falsely represented that you are
a woman (Marry Linson), which money you use to collect through Itunes Gift Card and sell
them in Naira through AFRBTC.Com, which representation you knew to be false and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the
Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006".
While Six out of the first ten defendants earlier arraigned were granted bail immediately
on varying conditions, four of them were denied bail. However, the other fourteen
defendants were all granted bail also on varying conditions.
All the defendants were remanded in prison custody at Abeokuta pending the perfection of
their bail conditions. While the cases of the first ten (10) were adjourned to the 28th
of January, 2019 for trial, the cases of the fourteen (14) were adjourned till 5th, 6th,
7th and 12th of February, 2019 for trial.
The journey to the dock for the suspect began when the EFCC got wind of their activities
through series of intelligence alleging that the suspected fraudsters engaged in fraudulent
activities of obtaining money by false pretences through sending emails to unsuspecting
victims mostly in the United States of America while others were engaged in romance scam
on several dating sites.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3548-efcc-arraigns-suspected-24-internet-fraudsters
*************************************
7 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Ecomomic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
IGP Team Handovers Three Suspected Internet Fraudsters to EFCC
Operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, IRT, has handed over three
suspected Advance Fee fraudsters to the Ibadan office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC for further investigation.
The suspects who are between 22 and 29 years of age includes: Ebenezer Adeniyi
Oluwafemi, Kolade Samuel Sogo, and Olwagbenga Majeed Ejikunke. They were arrested
Tuesday 4th, December, 2018 in Ilesha, Osun State following series of intelligence
gathered by the operatives.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspects allegedly got involved
in different romance scam posing as female foreigners to fleece unsuspecting victims
on the social media.
At the point of arrest, varied fetish materials, two laptops, and five different
brands of telephones were recovered from them. Several documents containing false
pretences were also recovered from the suspects.
According to the Head, Ibadan Office, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the handing over of the
three suspects brought the total number of Advance Fee fraudsters arrested in the
Ibadan office to 40 in the last couple of weeks. “The zone is no longer a hiding
place for the fraudsters”, he stated.
Investigation is still ongoing and the suspects will soon be charged to court.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes photos,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3531-igp-team-handovers-three-suspected-internet-fraudsters-to-efcc
******************************************
6 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Docks Man For N35.2m Fraud ......Another For N.3million Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos office, on Thursday, December 6, 2018,
arraigned one Micheal Talabi alongside his company, Tom Consult Limited, before Justice Oluwatoyin
Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering
on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N35, 240.000.00 (Thirty
Five Million, Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira).
The complainant, Isabella Etuk, alleged that she was approached by one Omotola Rafiat Laniyan
of Tom Consult Limited (who is still at large), claiming that she could offer discounted tickets
to travellers on the British Airways Business class.
Etuk also alleged that following her meeting with Laniyan, she contacted and moblised her
friends, who made a total payment of N35, 240,000 to Tom Consult Limited’s account to obtain
the British Airways Business class tickets.
However, Laniyan, a representative of Tom Consult Limited, was alleged to have failed to deliver
the tickets to the victims.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Micheal Talabi, Tom Consult Limited, Mrs. Omotola Rafiat
Laniyan (still at large), Balogun Oluwakemi (still at large) and Moris Coleman (still at large)
sometime between February, 2018 and July, 2018 in Lagos within the Ikeja Division, dishonestly
converted for your own use the sum of N35, 240,000.00 (Thirty Five Million, Two Hundred and
Forty Thousand Naira), property of Mrs. Isabella Etuk.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, M.S. Usman, asked the court for a trial date
and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
Counsel to the defendants, Adekunle Akinpelu, moved an application for bail dated November
28, 2018 on behalf of his client.
Justice Taiwo, after listening to both counsels, granted the defendant bail in sum of N5
million, with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties, according to the court, must have a landed property within the
jurisdiction of the court, while the other must be a relation of the defendant. The Judge
also ruled that the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the EFCC.
Justice Taiwo ordered the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody pending the perfection
of his bail conditions and adjourned to February 2, 2019 for commencement of trial.
In a related development, the EFCC, on Wednesday December 5, 2018 arraigned one Oghenevwogaga
Emmanuel before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State
on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence.
The defendant is alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N363, 000 (Three Hundred
and Sixty Three Thousand Naira) from one Sandra Rodriguez, an Indian citizen.
One of the count reads: "that you Oghenevwogaga Emmanuel and others now at large on or
about the 26th of September, 2017 in Oghara within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court did with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N116,000.00 (One Hundred And Sixteen
Thousand Naira) only from one Sandra Rodrigues, an Indian nationale under the false pretence
of borrowing the money for the treatment of your sick father which you knew to be false
and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)of the Advance Fee Fraud and
other Fraud Related offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his
plea, the prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elodi, prayed the court to fix a date for hearing
and to remand the defendant in prison custody. Attempt by Osama Idehen, counsel to the
defendant to move for bail was rejected by the court as he was told to file a formal
application.
Justice Abang adjourned the case to February 19, 2019 for hearing.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3525-efcc-docks-man-for-n35-2m-fraud-another-for-n-3million-fraud
*****************************************
5 DEC 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests 9 Internet Fraudsters in Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested nine Internet
fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo-Yahoo boys, in Abuja.
The suspects were arrested by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Commission
on November 30, 2018 through an intelligence report received on the fraudulent
activities of the suspected fraudsters residing somewhere along Airport Road,
as they were obviously living above their means.
Operatives of the EFCC had carried out surveillance for days on the activities
of the fraudsters before they swooped in on them. The suspects are: Edwin Ogbomwan,
Okouromi Franklin, Oseji Collins, Collins Onyekwuluje, Anyanechi Ekene, Tony
Oviasuyi, Chidi Emeshili, Osaigbovo Aiseos and Osaigbovo Ikponmnosa.
The suspects had turned their residence into a safe haven for fraudulent activities
using it as a place of abode and an operational office with computers, laptops,
phones, modems, sim cards and so many other tools used to defraud Nigerians and
foreigners alike of their hard earned money and valuables.
The suspects had created an identity using the names Thomas Jerry Star and
John Ben.
The suspects aged between 19 and 26 years were arrested with two GLK Mercedes
Benz, One Toyota Camry, Lexus Jeep and other valuables worth millions of naira,
which they acquired through the proceeds from their fraudulent activities.
They are currently cooperating with the Commission and will be charged to court
after investigations are concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes photos
of all nine arrestees, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3514-efcc-arrests-9-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja
*************************************
23 NOV 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man over Fraud
The Ibadan office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
on Thursday 22nd, November, 2018 arraigned one Abayomi Olagoke Olasunkanmi
before Justice W. O. Akanbi of the State High Court 3, sitting in Osogbo,
Osun State. He was arraigned on a twelve-count charge of conspiracy and
obtaining money under false pretence contrary to Section 8(a) and 1(3)
of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14
of 2006.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
One of the count reads: "that you Abayomi Olagoke Olasunkanmi a.k.a. Adedoyin Benson,
Babarinde Julius; Pastor Amos Komolafe (at large); Olajire Ezikiel (at
large) and Amoo Kazeem (at large) on or about 20th day of June, 2017 at Osogbo within
the Osogbo Judicial Division with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N350, 000.
(Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from Guaranty Trust Bank account No. 0034871309
belonging to Agbede Oluwasegun Olamide under the false pretence that it was
for the purpose of buying chemicals to wash foreign currency (Dollars).
In view of his plea, the defense counsel, S. A. Animashaun filed bail application
for the defendant which was served to the prosecuting counsel in court. The prosecuting
counsel, Mabas Mabir, however, prayed the court for a date for hearing of the substantive
case and the bail application of the defendant.
Justice Akanbi however, adjourned the case to 3rd December, 2018 for hearing of bail
application and commencement of trial. Meanwhile, the court ordered that the defendant
be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3465-efcc-arraigns-man-over-fraud
*********************************
22 NOV 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Finanvial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Re-arraigns Two For Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos office, on Thursday,
November 22, 2018, re-arraigned one Sylvester Osolase before Justice O.A. Taiwo
of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a four-count charge
bordering on possession of documents containing false information. The offence
is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other
Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
One of the counts reads: " That you, Sylvester Osolase, on or about the 27th
of May, 2018 at Lagos, within the Ikeja judicial division of this honourable Court,
with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents titled "Priority Mail
2-DayTM" and Priority Mail 2-DayTM", which documents were printed out from your
email address adcane01@yahoo.com and which you knew contained false information".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view
of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Vera Agboje, asked the court for a trial date.
However, counsel to defendant, Lekan Egberongbe, prayed the court to allow the
defendant to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the court.
Consequently, Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter to February 4, 2019 for commencement
of trial.
In a related development, another suspected Internet fraudster, Mayaki Monday,
was today re-arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Taiwo on a 10-count charge
bordering on possession of documents containing false information. The offence
is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other
Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Mayaki Monday on or about the 27th of May,
2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja judicial division of this honourable court, with
intent to defraud, had in your possession e-mail correspondence titled "Re:
Their response Mary's lawyer" which you sent from your email address:
lawofficebarristerjoe@gmail.com to parts01@yahoo.com which email you knew
contained false information".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of
his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Agboje, asked the court for a trial date.
However, counsel to defendant, Egberongbe, prayed the court to allow the defendant
to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the court.
The matter was adjourned to February 4, 2018 for commencement of trial.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at River View Estate, Isheri
North, Lagos State, following intelligence report received by the Commission about
their activities.
The suspects, who were dealing in romance and classified scams, confessed to have
defrauded several unsuspecting victims around the world.
They also confessed to have used proceeds of their illicit deals to buy cars, paid
their rents and travel around the world.
Items found on them include laptops, cars, mobile phones and incriminating documents
that were printed from their emails.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes photos,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3459-efcc-re-arraigns-two-for-internet-fraud
**************************************
15 NOV 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC:
EFCC Arrests 24 Undergraduates, 12 Others for Cyber Crime
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Office has arrested thirty-four
suspected internet fraudsters at 21, Sawmill Road Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State.
The suspected cyber criminals who are between 19 and 37 years of age include:
twenty-three students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, out of which nine were
ladies who allegedly claimed to be girlfriends and or neighbours of some of the
suspects; one from the National Open University of Nigeria and twelve others
are non-students.
The Commission got wind of their activities through series of intelligence
alleging that the suspected fraudsters engaged in fraudulent activities of
obtaining money by false pretences through sending emails to unsuspecting
victims mostly in the United States of America while others were engaged
in romance scam on several dating sites.
At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered over three hundred SIM cards
from them. Other items recovered from the suspects include: different models and
brands of exotic cars, 18 laptops (nine being of Apple brand), 50 telephones
(21 iphones) and two bags of fetish objects (juju) from them. Several documents
containing false pretences were also recovered from the suspects.
Suspects would be charged to court accordingly as soon as investigation is concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3442-efcc-arrests-24-undergraduates-12-others-for-cyber-crime
************************************
15 NOV 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC)
EFCC Docks Man For Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office,
has arraigned one Olugbeje Nelson Adeoye before Justice Muslim Hassan
of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a 12-count charge
bordering on possession of documents containing false information,
impersonation and phishing. The offence is contrary to Section 32(1)
of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act 2005.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Olugbeje Nelson Adeoye, on or about
the 25th of May, 2018 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High
Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document showing several
e-mail addresses linked to your mobile phone number +234 08168480479 and
which e-mail addresses evidenced your having phished and compromised unsuspecting
members of the public e-mail addresses and thereby committed an offence contrary
to and punishable under Section 32(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention)
Act, 2015."
Adeoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Vera Agboje, asked the court
for a trial date and urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.
However, the defence counsel, Eze Njoku, moved an application for bail on
behalf of his client.
Justice Hassan adjourned till November 26, 2018 and remanded the accused in prison
custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3435-efcc-docks-man-for-internet-fraud-2
**************************************
10 NOV 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man over Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office Thursday,
10th November, 2018 arraigned one Oke Omoniyi Benjamin, 33, before Justice U. N.
Agomo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He was arraigned
on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and possession
of documents containing false pretence contrary to Section1 (1), Section 6 and 8
punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related
Offences Act 2006.
Benjamin was arrested sequel to an Intelligence Report received sometimes in August,
2018, alleging that he is into internet fraud and has also defrauded a number of foreigners
of their money through fraudulent schemes.
The report however stated that Benjamin used the proceeds of his fraud to buy two cars,
and also own a unisex salon known as Signatures Unisex Salon located at No. 238, Ilawe Road,
opposite Baptist School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
At the point of arrest, Operatives of the Commission recovered an Acura TL, 2010 with
Registration Number BDG 969FH and a Lexus ES 300, 2002 model with Registration Number
EPE 829FJ, two Laptops, two Phones, forged documents and some foreign cheques.
One of the counts reads “that you Oke Omoniyi Benjamin on or about the 27th of April,
2018 at Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent
to defraud, obtained the sum of 1, 450, 000 Canadian Dollars (One Million Four Hundred
and Fifty Thousand Canadian Dollars) through Western Union/money transfer from one Joan
Derk, a Canadian by falsely representing that you are one Sergeant Johnson of United States
of America Marines and that the money was needed for preparations towards your marriage
with her; which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 1(1)(a)and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud
and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006”.
Another count reads “that you Oke Omoniyi Benjamin on or about the 3rd October, 2018
at Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent
to defraud, knowingly had in your possession some documents to wit: online Instagram
conversation with one Karen Hart a lady, citizen of United States of America, wherein
you pretended to be one Sergeant Johnson of the United States of America Marines,
which document contained false pretences and thereby committed an offence contrary
to Section 6 and 8 (b) punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and
Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006”.
Benjamin however pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. In view of his plea,
the prosecuting counsel, S. M. Galadanchi approached the court for a trial date.
The defence counsel, C.O. Omukhafe presented a bail application on behalf of the
defendant to which prosecution counsel however, prayed the court for time to study
and enable him react to the application.
Justice Agomo adjourned till 13th, and 27th November, 2018 for hearing on bail
application and the commencement of trial. The defendant was remanded in the Federal
Prison, Ado Ekiti pending the hearing of his bail application.
Here is the UL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3423-efcc-arraigns-man-over-internet-fraud
**********************************************
22 OCT 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Docks Man For Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office,
on Monday, October 22, 2018, arraigned one Elijah Oluwaseun Kuti before
Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos
on a two-count charge bordering on engaging in computer phishing and
possession of fraudulent documents.
Count one reads: "That you, Elijah Oluwaseun Kuti, on or about the 20th
day of July, 2018, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court, knowingly and intentionally engaged in computer phishing and thereby
committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 32 of the
Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc)Act 2015."
Count two reads: “That you, Elijah Oluwaseun Kuti, on or about the 20th day
of July 2018, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court,
had in your possession a document with the subject title: "Fill the rental
application form for the apartment" containing false pretence, which you
knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable
under Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences
Act No. 14 of 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua, asked the
court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
However, the defence counsel, Chisom Obikeze, prayed the court for a short date
to file an application for bail on behalf of his client.
Consequently, Justice Obiozor adjourned the matter till November 6, 2018 for
hearing of the bail application and also ordered the defendant to be remanded
in Ikoyi prison.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3389-efcc-docks-man-for-internet-fraud
*************************************
8 OCT 2018
Fron the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man for Defrauding Army General N180m
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 8, 2018
arraigned one Mohammed Sanni Zubair, before Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu
of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on a 4-count
charge of fraud.
Zubair, a suspected serial fraudster, was alleged to be a member
of a syndicate, who specialized in defrauding people.
The long arm of the law caught Zubair when the children of one Major General
Geoffrey Ejiga (retd) petitioned the EFCC alleging that a syndicate of fraudsters
took advantage of their father's old age to defraud him of over N180million.
A check on Zubair's profile showed that he had previously been arrested by the
operatives of the EFCC sometime in 2016 for a fraud related offence, which he
confessed to, saying he acted under the instruction of one Johnson Abiodun,
whose real name was Nuhu Kasim.
In the course of investigation, Kasim was arrested in Kano, and it was discovered
that the information given by the defendant against him, was completely false. Hence,
this charge.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Mohammed Sanni Zubair on or about October
2016, in Abuja, within the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court
of Nigeria, did make a statement to Naziru Aminu Shehu, an officer of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, in the course of the exercise of the duties
of his office, contained in your written statement dated 28th October, 2016,
which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and
punishable under Section 39 (2) (a) and (b) of Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the counts preferred against him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Fatsuma Mohammed, prayed the court
for a trial date to enable the prosecution prove its case.
But, counsel to the defendant, Joe Agi, SAN, informed the court of the defendant's
application for bail, which he said was filed and served on the prosecution shortly
before the court started sitting.
Justice Ojukwu, thereafter, adjourned to October 26, 30 and 31 for hearing on motion f
or bail and trial. The court also ordered that the defendant should continue with
the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3368-efcc-arraigns-man-for-defrauding-army-general-n180m
****************************************************
4 OCT 2018
From the NIgerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Man For Internet Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office
has arrested one Oke Omoniyi Benjamin (33) from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State
for internet fraud.
Benjamin was arrested following intelligence report, alleging fraudulent
internet activities for which a number of foreigners had been victims.
Benjamin allegedly used the proceeds of his fraud to buy two cars, and also
own a unisex salon in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
At the point of arrest, Operatives of the Commission recovered an Acura TL,
2010 model with registration number BDG 969FH and a Lexus ES 300, 2002 model
with registration number EPE 829FJ, two Laptops, two mobile phones, forged
documents and several counterfeit cheques of various foreign Banks.
The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3367-efcc-arrests-man-for-internet-scam
***************************************
1 AUG 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Secures Conviction of Job Scammer
The Kaduna office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
on August 1, 2018 secured the conviction of one Ewuga John Amos, who was
standing trial before Justice Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court on a
one-count charge bordering on impersonation, forgery and obtaining by
false pretence.
Amos, after being confronted with incontrovertible evidence chose not
to waste the time of the court, and he pleaded "guilty" to the charge.
The charge reads: "That you Ewuga John Amos sometime in January, 2018 within
the Judicial Division of High Court of Kaduna with intent to defraud obtained
the total sum of N478,000 from members of the public including Yakubu Hassan,
Charles Dorothy Kigbu, Ishaku Sunday and David Kasimu Kago by cheating them
to wit: securing them employment with the Nigeria Customs Service which you
knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 306(a)
of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2007 and punishable under section 307
of the same Law."
Justice Tukur sentenced him to a 190-day jail term or an option of fine
of N200,000.The trial judge further ordered restitution of the sum
of N478,000 to those he defrauded.
Here is the URL of the press release for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3341-efcc-secures-conviction-of-job-scammer
***********************************************
5 JUL 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Court Remands Ajudua In Kirikiri Prison
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting
in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, July 5, 2018, refused a bail
application filed by Fred Ajudua, a serial fraud suspect.
Ajudua is facing trial alongside one Joseph Ochunor on a
12-count charge bordering on fraud and conspiracy.
The defendants were alleged to have defrauded one Ziad
Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited in Germany
of a sum of $550,000 in 1993.
At the last adjourned sitting on June 13, 2018, counsel
to Ajudua, Norrisson Quakkers, SAN, had urged the court
to grant bail to his client on health grounds.
"We filed a seven-paragraph affidavit dated June 12, where
we stated the medical situation of the defendant," Quakkers
had said.
However, counsel to the prosecution, Temitope Banjo, who
stood in for the lead counsel, Seidu Atteh, had told the
court that Ajudua's claim of ill health was no longer a
valid reason for him to be granted bail.
The prosecution had further described the defendant as
a flight risk, adding that "The defendant has relied so
much on health grounds for his bail, but an investigation
by the Commission revealed that whenever court grants
him bail, he will start to write letters of adjournment."
Consequently, Justice Dada had adjourned to July 5(today)
for determination of the bail application by the defendant.
Ruling on the application today, Justice Dada held that
granting Ajudua bail would further truncate his trial that
had suffered a setback since he was first arraigned on
March 5, 2009 before Justice Oyefeso.
The Judge, therefore, ordered Ajudua to be transferred
to Kirikiri Prison custody pending the determination
of his bail application and commencement of trial.
Ajudua was re-arraigned before Justice Dada, following
the re-assignment of the case file by the Chief Judge
of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, for accelerated trial.
Here is the URL of the press release for as long
as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3314-court-remands-ajudua-in-kirikiri-prison
**********************************
30 JUN 2018
From the Punch, a Nigerian newspaper:
Man impersonates senator on Facebook, defrauds Nigerians
by Samson Folarin
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Joel Asabor for
allegedly defrauding some Nigerians through a fake recruitment
into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Asabor, who was based in Delta State,
impersonated the Senator representing Anambra South Constituency
of Anambra State, Andy Uba, in whose name he opened a Facebook
account.
Through the Facebook account, the suspect reportedly conversed
with job seekers who added him as friends on the platform.
Our correspondent gathered that the victims were asked to pay
between N200,000 and N350,000 for processing of employment into
oil companies, as they were promised juicy incentives, including
a salary of N850,000 per month.
It was learnt that the suspect, whose accomplice also impersonated
a member of the House of Representatives, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, defrauded
a Lagos resident, Mrs Chinelo Nwadim, of over N300,000
Nwadim, who petitioned the Area Commander, Area D, ACP Olusoji
Akinbaji, demanded an investigation into the matter.
A source said the victim had trusted the Facebook account after
receiving fake recruitment forms of the NNPC.
He said, "The woman met the suspect on Facebook in December 2017.
He used the name of Senator Andy Uba to open the account. He told
her that he had influence in the NNPC and could get her a job there.
The woman jumped at the offer."
"He promised her a direct reference with the sales manager of NNPC
so that she could get the recruitment form with ease. He also sent
her a reference code and promised her that Honourable Nkiruka would
call her to assist with the processing."
"The fraudster promised to send a recommendation letter to the office
of Honourable Nkiruka so that she could get the job."
The source said the suspect, while still impersonating Uba, instructed
the victim to make all payments through his accomplice, Nkiruka.
He allegedly advised her to pay N35,850 for the form, assuring her
that her monthly salary would be over N850,000.
"After their conversation, the said Honourable Nkiruka contacted
her and demanded different sums of money which she paid into a First
Bank Account belonging to Asabor Joel. She paid N35,850 for the NNPC
form; N28,500 for acceptance form; N45,850 for insurance and N220,000
for passport."
"When N450,000 was demanded for a visa fee, it became clear to the
victim that she had been defrauded. She also discovered that all the
documents sent to her were forged; that was when she petitioned the
area commander through her lawyer," the source added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed
the incident, adding that police operatives, led by the Area D Commander,
travelled to Delta State to apprehend the suspect.
He explained that investigation showed that a lot of Nigerians had
been defrauded by the suspect.
He said, "When the report got to the command, the Commissioner
of Police, Edgal Imohimi, directed the Mushin Area Commander
to fish out the culprit. A police team travelled to Oghara,
Delta State, where the leader of the syndicate, Joel Asabor,
was arrested and brought to Lagos."
Here is the URL of the article, which inludes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://punchng.com/man-impersonates-senator-on-facebook-defrauds-nigerians/
**************************************
14 JUN 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term
Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court, sitting
in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday June 13, 2018
convicted Uke Philip Akhator for offences bordering on
obtaining by false pretences.
Akhator who was prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
was said to have obtained the sum of One Hundred and
Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) Only from one Jakub
Sani Mohammed.
The offence is contrary to Section 421 of the Criminal
Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, C39, 2004
and punishable under the same Act.
Upon his arraignment on a one count charge, Akhator
pleaded guilty to the offence.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry
Aso Peters, urged the court to convict and sentence
the defendant accordingly. In his response, defence
counsel, Padro Egharevba pleaded with the court to
temper justice with mercies as the defendant was a
first time offender who has become remorseful.
Justice Ajoku after listening to both counsel,
sentenced the defendant to one month imprisonment.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes
a photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3277-internet-fraudster-bags-jail-term
*********************************
14 JUN 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of $75,000
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting
in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, June 14, 2018 ordered an interim
forfeiture of a sum of $75,000 recovered by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from one Kupoluyi Oluleke,
to the Federal Government. The judge gave the order, following
an ex parte application filed by the EFCC.
Investigations began following intelligence report about a fund
transfer of $75,000.00 received by Oluleke from one Maltos Javier
Rios, a United States of America national.
Upon receipt of the report, the EFCC launched investigations
into the suspicious transfer and eventually arrested the respondent
in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oluleke was said to have claimed that the money was sent to him
by Rio, whom he described as a business associate, to facilitate
an estate development plan worth the sum of $1,000,000.
However, Rios was said to have denied knowing the suspect or
even visiting Nigeria.
Rio, who alleged that his computer was hacked, also said that
he once received a call from someone who claimed to work with
Apple, requesting for his password to do a system upgrade,
which he gladly obliged.
Rio further claimed that he subsequently received a call that
the money in his account was mistakenly sent to him and that
he should transfer the money to Oluleke's account in Nigeria,
which he did. Items found in possession of the suspect include
a driver's licence belonging to Rio and the supposed agreement.
In her ruling, Justice Olatoregun ordered an interim forfeiture
of the money to the Federal Government.
The judge further directed the applicant to publish the order
in a national newspaper within 14 days for anyone who is interested
in the money to appear before the court to show cause why it should
not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Here is the URL of the press release, for as long as it
is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3278-court-orders-interim-forfeiture-of-75-000
*******************************
13 JUN 2018
From the Guardian, a Nigerian newspaper:
U.S arrests 30 Nigerians over email scams
By Victor Gbonegun, with agency report
To reduce activities of global email scam artists, the United States
of America has arrested 30 Nigerians in a coordinated crackdown on
persons who convince respondents to wire them money through fraudulent
activities. In the swipe on fraudulent activities, which also involved
44 nationals from other countries, the U.S. said such scams are prevalent
and pledged to pursue perpetrators regardless of where they are located.
Authorities said they have seized, recovered or disrupted more than
$16 million (12 million UK Pounds) since January. The effort, which
involved local and federal law enforcement agencies, targeted scammers
who trick people into transferring them money, for example by impersonating
a business partner or colleague.
The U.S. said arrests occurred in the U.S., Nigeria, Canada, Mauritius
and Poland. Some Nigerians allegedly involved in the crackdown include:
Adeyemi Odufuye using many aliases including 'Micky,' 'Micky Bricks,'
'Yemi,' 'GMB,' 'Bawz', 'Jefe,' aged 32, and Stanley Hugochukwu Nwoke,
aka 'Stanley Banks, 'Banks,' 'Hugo Banks,' 'Banky,' and 'Jose Calderon'
as his several aliases.
They were charged with a seven-count indictment in the District
of Connecticut. Their victims were said to have lost approximately
$2.6 million, including at least $440,000 in actual losses to one
victim in Connecticut. A third co-conspirator Olumuyiwa Yahtrip
Adejumo, aka 'Ade,' 'Slimwaco,' 'Waco,' 'Waco Jamon,' 'Hade,' and
'Hadey,' aged 32, of Toledo, Ohio, pleaded guilty on April 20 to
one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The US department of justice said Odufuye was extradited from
the United Kingdom to the United States on January 3, and pleaded
guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one
count of aggravated identity theft.Nwoke was extradited to the
US from Mauritius on May 25, marking the first extradition in
over 15 years from Mauritius. His case is pending. Richard Emem
Jackson, aka Auwire, 23, of Lagos, was charged in an indictment
filed on May 17 in the District of Massachusetts with two counts
of unlawful possession of a means of identification as part
of a larger fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, on two occasions in 2017, Jackson
was alleged to have possessed the identifications of two victims
with the intent to commit wire fraud conspiracy.Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI) Director, Christopher Wray, whose agency
funded and coordinated the operation, said: "This operation
demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to disrupt and dismantle criminal
enterprises that target American citizens and their businesses."
FBI said people have reported losing more than $3.7bn since it
started tracking the issue through its Internet Crime Complaint
Center. Wray said "The devastating effects these cases have on
victims and victim companies, affect not only the individual
business but also the global economy".
Here is the URL of the article, for as long as it is good:
http://guardian.ng/news/u-s-arrests-30-nigerians-over-email-scams/
The Nigerian newspaper Punch covered the story also:
https://punchng.com/fbi-arrests-74-in-us-nigeria-others-for-fraud/
The Nigerian newspaper Vanguard and many additional
news organizations worldwide also covered the story.
************************************
5 JUN 2018
From the Guardian, a Nigerian newspaper:
EFCC re-arraigns Fred Ajudua over alleged $1m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned
Fred Ajudua before a Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos for allegedly
defrauding one Ziad Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited, a
German-based firm of $1 million.
Ajudua, who pleaded not guilty to the 12 count charges bordering on
conspiracy and fraud, was re-arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada.
His arraignment had suffered series of set back last year before
Justice Josephine Oyefeso but the Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke,
reassigned it to the Special Court for accelerated hearing.
The EFCC alleged that Ajudua and his accomplice, Joseph Ochunor,
had sometime in 1993 defrauded Zalaf of $1 million.
Here is the URL of the article for as long as
it is good:
http://guardian.ng/news/efcc-re-arraigns-fred-ajudua-over-alleged-1m-fraud/
*************************************
5 JUN 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man for $3000 Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal
office, on Monday June 4, 2018, arraigned one Ajiboye Gbenga
before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences court sitting
in Ikeja, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money
by false pretence to the tune of US$3,000. One of the counts reads:
"That you, Ajiboye Gbenga (a.k.a Joseph Markley) between April,
2017 and October, 2017 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division
with intent to defraud obtained the sum of US$3,000 (Three Thousand
United States Dollars) from one Karen H. by falsely reresenting to
her that you are Joseph Markley and that you lost your wallet and
needed money which pretence you knew to be false."
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read
to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Zainab Ettu, asked the
court for trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody.
Counsel to the defendant, Williams Dong prayed the court for a
short date to allow him file and serve the bail application.
Justice Dada, however, adjourned the matter to June 8, 2018
for possible hearing of the bail application and remanded
the defendant in prison custody.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes
a photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3255-efcc-arraigns-man-for-3000-fraud
************************************
1 JUN 2018
For a little something different, on the lighter side,
here is a little Gallows humor concerning a very serious
problem (Romance 419), courtesy of the Nigerian newspaper
and website Punch :)
VIDEO: Yahoo boys make us happy, White woman asserts,
tells EFCC to back off
An unidentified White woman has said that young Nigerian men
involved in Internet fraud make females like her happy, advising
anti-graft agencies to stop beaming searchlights on them.
In a short video that is currently trending on YouTube, the
obviously ageing White woman calls out the EFCC, asking its
men to stop harassing and arresting boys suspected of being
involved in internet fraud, popularly called Yahoo Yahoo.
In a post by Mandy News on the video-sharing platform, the
unidentified White woman told the anti-graft agency that they
(elderly white women) were happy to send the Yahoo Yahoo boys
money, saying, "they make us happy."
The video lasted for only nine seconds.
See the video below:
White Woman Calls on EFCC to Leave Yahoo Boys Alone
Here is the URL of the article, which also contains a link
to the Video, for as long as it is good:
https://punchng.com/video-yahoo-boys-make-us-happy-white-woman-asserts-tells-efcc-to-back-off/
******************************************
30 MAY 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Internet Fraudster Bags One Year Jail Term
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday,
May 30, 2018, secured the conviction and sentencing of an Internet
fraudster, Oluwatobiloba Badejo, before Justice O.A. Williams
of the State High court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The convict was arraigned on May 25, 2018 on a two-count charge
bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and possession
of fraudulent documents to the tune of N124,937.53 (One Hundred
and Twenty-four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-seven Naira,
Fifty-three Kobo).
Count one reads: "That you, Oluwatobiloba Badejo (aka Lynda Andrew)
on or about the 20th of March, 2016, at Lagos within the Ikeja judicial
Division, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the
sum of N52,937.53 (Fifty-two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-seven
Naira, Fifty-three Kobo) from one Manuel Alberto Rama Carracedo by
falsely representing to him that you are a woman with the name Lynda
Andrew, which pretence you knew to be false."
Count two reads: "That you, Oluwatobiloba Badejo (aka Lynda Andrew)
on or about the 13th of June, 2016 at Lagos, within the Ikeja judicial
Division by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the
sum of N72,000(Seventy-two Thousand Naira) from one Manuel Alberto
Rama Carracedo by falsely representing to him that you are a woman
with the name Lynda Andrew, which pretence you knew to be false."
He pleaded guilty to charge preferred against him after initially
entering a plea bargain with the Commission to refund the sum of
N124,937.53 obtained from the victims and also forfeit to the
Federal Government a Dell laptop computer, which he used "as the
instrumentality of fraud."
The judge, after hearing the terms of agreement reached by both
the prosecution and counsel to the defendant, O. Odubela, SAN,
had deferred judgment till today (May 30.)
Delivering his judgment, Justice Williams found the defendant
guilty on both counts and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment.
Here is the URL of the press release for as long
as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3239-internet-fraudster-bags-one-year-jail-term
****************************************
28 MAY 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission(EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Three For Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos
zonal office, has arrested three suspected Internet fraudsters
for conspiracy and possession of fraudulent documents.
The suspects - Sylvester Osolase,30; Seyi Ajayi, 36 and Monday
Mayaki, 37 - were arrested on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at River
View Estate, Isheri North, Lagos State, following intelligence
report received by the Commission about their activities.
The suspects, who were dealing in romance and classified scams,
confessed to have defrauded several unsuspecting victims around
the world.
They also confessed to have used proceeds of their illicit deals
to buy cars, paid their rents and travel around the world.
Items found on the suspects include laptops, cars, mobile phones
and incriminating documents that were printed from their emails.
The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations
are concluded.
Here is theURL of the press release, which includes
photos, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3238-efcc-arrests-three-for-internet-fraud
****************************************
28 MAY 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Two Suspected Fraudsters For N7m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal
office, has arrested two members of a syndicate of fraudsters
for offences bordering on obtaining money under false pretences
to the tune of over N7,000,000.00( Seven Million Naira).
The suspects were arrested at Elomaz Hotel, Maryland, Lagos,
following a petition received by the Commission from a complainant.
The complainant alleged that he was approached by one Dr. Lawal
Ibrahim, who claimed to be the representative of an American company,
Avis Beverages, in Africa for a purported agro-allied business.
He also alleged that he was subsequently introduced to one Dr. Ryan
Wood, the purported company's President, and Alhaji Akeem Olagbaju
Jamiu, who also posed as the producer of the commodity.
The complainant further alleged that he was asked to register with
the commodity producer with N150,000.00 and also make a refundable
deposit of N350,000.00.
As part of the grand plan to validate their claim, the complainant
alleged that he was asked to register a company and acquire necessary
documentations, including certificate of ownership, tax certificate,
BNI, NAFDAC, Narcotics Control Board and money laundering clearance
certificates in furtherance of the business.
The fraudsters were alleged to have also instructed the complainant
to register with Avis Beverages with $65,000.00 USD once it was clear
that he could obtain all the necessary documents.
However, the complainant, through a petition, sought the intervention
of the Commission when he became suspicious of the transaction, a
development that eventually led to the arrest of the suspected fraudsters.
The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations
are concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release, for as long
as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3235-efcc-arrests-two-suspected-fraudsters-for-n7m-fraud
**************************************
20 MAY 2018
From Vanguard, a Nigerian newspaper:
UK jails 2 Nigerians, Mmaduike, Kashimawo over alleged
1m UK Pounds cyber fraud
Two Nigerians, Emmanuel Mmaduike and Olawale Kashimawo, both 31, who
operated a London-based cyber crime group have been jailed after stealing
more than UK Pounds 1m.
The two Nigerians spent the money on "a lavish lifestyle", according
to the UK National Crime Agency.
According to a report by Sky News, the pair hired a helicopter and
drove "flash cars", and "posed for photographs of themselves with wads
of money, expensive watches and drinking champagne".
They ran their scams from southeast London after obtaining thousands
of business email addresses and passwords - which they used to divert
payments away from legitimate companies to themselves.
Known officially as "business email compromise" (BEC), the attack
involves the criminal impersonation of a senior executive and attempting
to convince the victim to transfer funds.
UK's National Cyber Security Centre said BEC scams are one of the
fastest growing forms of cyber crime. According to a 2017 report
by networking company Cisco, cyber criminals made $5.3bn (3.9bn
UK Pounds) from BEC in just three years.
Mmaduike's role was to access the victim's email accounts and change
invoices so that payments were directed to mule bank accounts run by
Kashimawo. His collaborator then laundered the cash by arranging
withdrawals and international bank transfers which were carried out
by other fraudsters.
The pair is believed to have carried out more than 1m UK Pounds
of fraud and money laundering between April 2015 and November 2015,
according to the NCA.
Mmaduike was jailed in March 2017 for six years and 10 months after
he admitted money laundering and fraud. He also admitted perverting
the course of justice in relation to a sham marriage to a Dutch national.
On Thursday, his accomplice Kashimawo was jailed at Kingston Crown
Court for six years and nine months after admitting two counts of
conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The head of investigations at the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit
(NCCU), Tony Adams, said: "UK businesses should exercise caution
when authorising significant transactions - particularly if there
is a last-minute change of account details."
"If in doubt speak to the intended recipient of the funds on the
phone prior to making a large payment."
"Keep passwords safe and do not use the same passwords for multiple
online accounts."
"The NCA and our partners are continuing to tackle business email
fraud and money laundering. It is imperative victims report such
compromises as soon as possible and retain all evidence."
Here is the URL of the article, which includes photographs,
for as long as it is good:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/uk-jails-2-nigerians-mmaduike-kashimawo/
******************************************
19 MAY 2018
From Punch, a Nigerian newspaper, an excellent article
by Eric Dumo too long to be posted here, but we'll provide
a link, for as long as it is good:
Yahoo Boys' new tactics of evading harassment,arrest
*************************************
14 MAY 2018
From NigeriaNews.net, a Nigerian website. Sent in by
Ultrascan AGI:
The Celebrity Status Of Yahoo Boys In Nigeria
By Adebayo Abiodun
The social media slay queens who hide under the guise of acting,
make-up artistry, event management, fashion blogging, modeling and
other flexible jobs to sell their bodies have also gone into overdrive
over the attack on Yahoo Boys. These guys are one of their biggest
customers keeping them in business and sponsoring their upscale
lifestyles.
This journalist took his time to read hundreds of social media
comments for and against internet scam and the survey has yielded
appalling and shameful results. In saner climes, this topic doesn't
warrant any debate but an outright condemnation of the act.
Nigerians benefiting from internet scam have flagrantly defended
the internet fraudsters publicly without shame. If these people have
their way, internet fraud would be enshrined in the Nigerian constitution
as it supposedly generates 'foreign exchange' for the local economy
in contrast to unscrupulous politicians who take money out of the already
fragile economy to stash in foreign banks or buy vast properties outside
the country.
A section of social media commenters even believe the Yahoo Boys who
have fully delved into rituals to jinx their victims into making huge
payments for phantom deals are avenging the crimes of the whites against
the blacks for the 400 years of slavery. In the crime world, most criminals
have a way of seeking justification for their crimes to subdue their
conscience so that they could sleep well at night. Even the dreaded
terrorist group, Boko Haram has a fine narrative to suit its quest
for blood and destruction. But, in the real sense, there is no justification
for being an outlaw.
Social media influencer and Lagos socialite, Noble Igwe has been
criticized vehemently on social media platforms for exposing the
business fronts through which these scam artists launder their dirty
money in Lagos. He drew attention to real estate and property businesses,
record label ownership (which singer Dbanj also confirmed some months back)
car shops as well as other outlets in the privileged Island area of Lagos
State. His tweets have been regarded as 'snitching' which is a popular
black American cliche for condoning crime.
Those opposing him are not even faceless people, they are prominent
figures in the entertainment circle using their large following and
verified accounts to hit the fashionista in a brazen way as it fraud
is a legalized part of the Nigerian economy. This is not the Nigerian
dream and one wonders how we got here.
Dating a 'god fearing' and loving internet fraudster has become
the dream of most girls in Lagos. Following some wealth-flaunting
celebrities on Instagram has spurred them to lust after ostentatious
products like iPhones, iPads, designer shoes, clothes, Exotic meals,
wines, cars, top class hotels, vacation in some tourist centres
across the world especially Dubai and engage in all sorts ephemeral
of activities that could be used to intimidate their pairs.
Yahoo Boys who can be safely called armed robbers whose guns are
laptops and operation area is the internet have become fixers celebrated
by some parents as long as they are generous with their loot. This
red-carpet treatment given to them is setting a bad precedent that
would mortgage societal balance as well as the development of Nigerian
youths.
Majority of people don't care about hard work anymore. Academics are
being mocked for finishing school in flying colours and working for
peanuts while the uneducated fraudsters who wasted the sunny days
of their lives at beer parlours, engaging in drug abuse and chilling
at dark corners with prostitutes, ride the best of cars and even
open businesses that could employ the educated.
This acceptance of fraud as a way of life which has almost formed
a foundation of Lagos State - commercial capital of Nigeria where
workers painstakingly earn an average of N100,000 per month is happening
in the face of a #NotTooYoungToRun campaign aimed at ensuring young
people take up public positions in Nigeria. There is this general
belief that Nigeria would be better off if the apparent system
of 'Gerontocracy' is abolished and the youths with fresh ideas
assume power.
With the calibre of youths seen supporting fraud, I think the present
formidable team of political jobbers is set to change to more energetic,
hungrier, tactical and, brilliant ones. There is no light at the end
of the tunnel. The agitations for direct political participation
by pseudo intellectuals and half-baked political analysts on Twitter
are mostly being made by youths who are indirectly bitter about being
shut out of the heist being committed at the corridors of power daily.
The same Nigerians who complain about the weakness of the Nigerian
international passport are the ones stealing with strong political will,
operating as rug rags on the internet giving the country a bad reputation
in the developed world. Nigerians are like desperados outside the country;
they could even betray their mothers just to make their lives worthwhile.
This has had a malignant effect on foreign investments in Nigeria as
businesses to a large extent have to do with trust. What we see here are
long term growth and development prospects being sacrificed for the short
term benefits of a greedy few.
Nigerians abroad are being treated with disdain and disrepute simply
because of the sins of a faceless few swallowing the lifetime savings
of responsible people overnight only to satisfy youthful exuberance
with the stolen funds.
There have been cases of victims becoming drug addicts, alcoholics,
getting heart attacks, committing suicide and parting with their
beautiful families after losing huge savings to Yahoo Boys who
ignorantly attribute their successes to 'God'. There is danger as
the new crop of Nigerian youths doesn't want to work, they just
want to get rich and scam is the way.
Most families, friends and acquaintances don't care about the source
of the money, they just want to celebrate the spender and enjoy their
share. The Yahoo Boys are their heroes and messiahs.
Permit me to end my piece with the wise words of the creative director
and lead producer at Soundcity TV, Olamide Adedeji about the Yahoo Boys
saga as seen on Twitter:
"Yahoo boys are armed robbers. Armed with computers harming people and
corporations. So please, file them next to Drug dealers, thieves, money
launderers etc."
"They don't deserve to be glorified, praised or emulated. We need this
reality check".
They are not necessarily the most educated, attractive, eloquent,
innovative or intelligent people in the country but the society embrace
them due to size of their bank accounts.
They date the most beautiful, educated and sophisticated girls of your
dreams even when they represent the opposite of what the girl really wants;
that's the power of money. Also, they roughly wear the most expensive
jewelries, shoes, clothes, throw the biggest parties, lodge endlessly
in fancy hotels and paint the town red in the best cars.
They are the internet fraudsters popularly known as G-Boys or Yahoo Boys.
These sets of people cause massive damage both home and abroad in a slow
manner which could be likened to the effect of drug abuse on human beings.
Back home, the losses are immeasurable. Nigeria records about N127
billion loss annually to cyber-crime. Nigeria has been ranked third
in global internet crimes, coming after United States of America and
United Kingdom respectively. In 2014 alone, the anti-graft agency -
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC reported that customers
in Nigeria lost about N6 billion to cyber criminals. Banks in Nigeria
have lost approximately N159 billion to electronic frauds and cyber-crimes
between 2000 and 2013.
I'm sure the Global North countries that are the prime victims can't
fully count their losses even if they want to.
According to a report by Ultrascan AGI, a subsidiary of Ultrascan Research
Services - an international research organization, a whopping sum of $12.7
billion was lost to Nigerian scams (focusing on Advance Fee Fraud statistics)
in 2013. In 2012, losses totaled $10.9 billion from $9.6 billion in 2011.
Another report says that $50 million is lost annually to romance scams
which our brothers participate actively in.
In the U.S, romance scams account for the highest financial losses of
all internet-facilitated crimes according to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, FBI. Reported losses in 2016 exceeded $230 million
according to a conservative report as only 15% of the crimes are
being reported.
Earlier this year, an 82-year-old grandmother in the U.S, Marjorie Earl
Jones who lost all of her money to a con artist, was so devastated by
the scam that she committed suicide.
Similarly, a lonely bachelor in the United Kingdom - Ian Doney, 51,
sent thousands of pounds and paid for flights after believing he had
met one girlfriend online and she was travelling to the UK. He also
committed suicide on the 30th of August, 2016 after being scammed.
After he spent all day waiting fruitlessly at the airport, he went
on to give more money for medical bills because he was told her
visit had been prevented by an accident.
"He had not had a relationship with anybody. He just wanted a family."
"He was borrowing money to send over there. He wasn't eating properly
and he was starving himself. Anything he could sell, he sold it." his sister,
Gillian Doney revealed. These are just a few examples of the catastrophic
effects of internet fraud on individual lives.
The Yahoo Boys have presented Nigerians are predators in the international
community who are considered too radioactive to have to have a dealing with.
Remember the ne'er-do-wells you mocked during your first degree days.
I mean the Indian Hemp smokers and drunks who failed to pass the Joint
Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examination, they are now the
kings of the streets with the cash to throw around just like El Chapo
and Pablo Escobar. Some of them like the popular de facto Gucci ambassador,
Hushpuppi now command elephantine followership on social media through
which they now mentor people. They regularly do giveaways to build their
presence online and compete with the regular celebrities.
The economic downturn in Nigeria has made even the most principled
vulnerable to them. Religious and societal values have also been abandoned
for a mesh of porridge provided by these people who ruin lives through
the keyboard. Even though, many believe internet fraud is a manifestation
of age-long political corruption and economic hardship in Nigeria, there
is no justification for living off the sweats of others like parasites
in the ecosystem.
12 suspected internet fraudsters were apprehended by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Office in collaboration
with the Nigeria Police on Friday arrested in an Ikoyi Club in Lagos
State with ostentatious properties seized from them as investigation
continues.
This action has sparked ripples across the country with majority
of Nigerian youths remaining divided concerning the bust. The usual
flimsy excuses of the Yahoo Boys are that the government made them
monsters and the politicians who are their role models are constantly
stealing in million folds in the comfort of their offices with law
enforcement agents and flawed institutions of state protecting them.
Unemployment and underemployment have been majorly blamed for the
surging spate of cyber-crimes in Nigeria. Most Nigerians feel comfortable
about internet fraud as far as they are not the victims.
Part of the praise-singers of the fraudsters are Nigerian musicians
prominently 9ice, Reminisce, Olamide, Small Doctor, Olu Maintain,
Kelly Hansome, Tupengo and others taking such actions to either show
gratitude for previous financial assistance or probably curry favour
from them. This is dangerous to the young minds because music is powerful;
it could penetrate and control human minds in the fastest way possible.
Here is the URL of the article, which includes a graphic,
for as long as it is good:
https://www.nigerianews.net/the-celebrity-status-of-yahoo-boys/
********************************************
14 MAY 2018
From Ripples Nigeria, a Nigerian website, sent in by our friends
from Ultrascan AGI:
Celebs lash out at activities of 'Yahoo boys'
By Ahmed Boulor
The trio of Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, rapper Eldee tha Don and Noble
Igwe, the Chief executive officer of 360group have all lashed out at the
activities on cyber criminals better known in local parlance as 'Yahoo
Yahoo boys'.
Weighing-in on the recent arrest 12 suspected internet fraudsters and
the recovery of 10 cars after a raid on Club 57 in Ikoyi, Lagos, by men
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Seun Kuti said
he wonders why Nigerians can’t express our success outside of white
validation.
He wrote on Facebook; "Wetin yahoo boy dey take money do? No be to buy
expensive white man things? Lol. If they weren't busy buying White man
drink but building their communities maybe just maybe, I will see dem
but I don't. Steal white man's money and the only way u can express
that wealth is too seek validation by consuming the most expensive
white man things and u say u are a Gee?"
"All Yahoo boys are Mugus for whitey still, dem be learner. Wait that
100k u used 3 months to set the job how long did it take Gucci to collect
it back? MUGU. Until we can express our success outside of white validation
thru their brands and luxury items of status and class, U STILL BE MUGU."
In the same vein, rapper Eldee who admitted that his song "big boy"
unwittingly contributed to the decay posted on Twitter saying our
insatiable need for acceptance and regard in our society drives much
of how we perceive ourselves and the decisions we make in our daily
lives.
"We have a society that today finds justification for corruption, armed
robbery and fraud...because it doesn't matter anymore how you get it, just
get it, and for no other reason than to flaunt it."
"I made the song 'big boy' and unwittingly contributed to the decay…
I know better today."
"Poverty has a strong impact on our self-esteem as a people. The need
to fill a low self-esteem gap with material things is what has led our
society as a whole to where we are today."
"Our insatiable need for acceptance and regard in our society drives
much of how we perceive ourselves and the decisions we make in our
daily lives."
"And because of that, our perception of who we are and what we are worth
has become one of our most basic human needs, right after food, and
security," Eldee stated.
Noble Igwe also added his voice when he took to Twitter to call on the
EFCC to arrest more internet fraudsters.
Noble posted on the social media platform saying: "Record label Estate/
Property Business Car Selling business The Above are major 419 /fraud
fronts in Nigeria."
"EFCC needs to have a waiter stationed at every club within Lekki & VI.
After last night, club owners are going to record low sales and Uber
drivers will be busy tonight."
"Online stores and stores on Admiralty/Fola Osibo are used for money
laundering."
"Armed robbers on Instagram are regarded as G boys but in reality,
theirs a different type of stealing."
"People steal and then turn around to blame the government for making
them criminals."
"Anyone that defends a criminal is a criminal and while we have a list
for people advocating rape culture, we should also have one for such
people," he recommended.
Here is the URL of the article, which includes a photo,
for as ;ong as it is good:
https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/celebs-lash-out-at-activities-of-yahoo-boys/
*******************************************
3 MAY 2018
There is an excellent article on recent 419 operations
on the Wired.com site, which is too long to be put up in full
here, so we give the URL of the article below.
The article is headlined:
Nigerian Email Scammers Are More Effective Than Ever
Here is a link to the article for as long as it is good:
Nigerian Email Scammers Are More Effective Than Ever
***********************************
26 APR 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Docks Ekiti Varsity Final Year Student for Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office,
on Thursday, April 26, 2018 arraigned one Ilesanmi Babatunde Yemi, a final
year accounting student of Ekiti State University, before Justice Joyce
Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on
a 5-count charge of fraud and romance scam.
Yemi allegedly specializes in love and romance scam on internet. The
defendant, while posing as American Army Officer by the name 'Dennis Martinez'
serving in Libya allegedly engages unsuspecting ladies on the internet in
a dating and romance scam through which he fleeces them of their money.
The last victims were two ladies from Australia which he allegedly swindled
to the tune of $500 (five hundred dollars), in tranches.
One of the counts reads:
"That you, Ilesanmi Babatunde Yemi, sometimes in year 2014, at Ibadan
within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, did directly take
possession of the sum of 7,000 British Pounds only transferred to you
by one Carolyn Hide which sum you knew or reasonably ought to have known
forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful act and thereby committed
an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3)
of the same Act".
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sanusi Galadanchi, applied
for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the defendant
in prison custody.
However, the defense counsel, Olatunde Adeoye informed the court
of a pending application praying the court to admit the defendant
to bail. He also urged the court to allow the defendant remain
in the EFCC's custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Abdulmalik, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded
in the Federal Prison, Agodi and adjourned to May 8, 2018 for hearing
of the bail application.
Here is the URL of the new release, which contains a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3198-efcc-docks-ekiti-varsity-final-year-student-for-internet-fraud
[See 23 JAN 2018 News for more on this matter]
***********************************
19 APR 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged $22, 300 Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday
April 19, 2018 arraigned one Oluokun Gabriel Adekola of Kolanifemi
New Era Foods Nigeria Enterprises, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik
of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a six-count
charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretense and money
laundering to the tune of 22, 300 US Dollars. The offence is contrary
to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance
Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 17(1),
(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended in 2012)
and punishable under Section 17(1) (b) of the same Act.
The defendant allegedly diverted the sum transferred to him by a
Taiwanese lady who resides in China for the supply of 100metric tons
of sesame seeds. After collecting the sums, the accused failed
to transact the business as agreed but allegedly diverted the
money to other use.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were
read to him.
Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sanusi Galadanchi asked for a
trial date. However, the defense counsel, Akim Maisolati informed
the court of a pending bail application dated 10th April, 2018.
The prosecution however, did not oppose the application for bail.
Justice Abdulmalik admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of
Five Hundred Thousand Naira and one surety in like sum. The surety
shall be a Civil Servant in the Oyo State Civil Service not below
Grade level 15. The surety shall be an owner of a developed land
and the certificate of occupancy of the land shall be verified
by the registrar of the court. The surety shall depose to an
affidavit of means with his passport photograph attached.
The defendant was remanded in Agodi prison pending the perfection
of his bail terms.
The case is adjourned to May 7, 2018 for trial.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3183-efcc-arraigns-man-for-alleged-22-300-fraud
**********************************
13 APR 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC)
Court Convicts Fraudster for Car Auction Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have secured
the conviction of one Eboge Daniel Ebiogbo before Justice
R.A Sadiq of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge
of Criminal Breach of Trust.
The convict ran into trouble after the commission traced
the sum of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira Only) which
turned out to be proceed of crime he committed against
the complainant one Samson E Davies.
The complainant alleged that sometime in 2015, while he was
browsing the internet, he came across an advert for car auction
purported to be from the Nigeria Customs Service.
He contacted one Mrs Funmi who lured him into believing that
he won the bid of a Toyota Camry at the cost of N250,000
(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). However, before
he realised it was a scam, he had already parted with the sum
of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira Only) which he paid into
the account of the convict.
The convict did not waste the time of the court and pleaded
guilty upon arraignment.
Considering his plea, Justice Sadiq convicted him and sentenced
him to a fine of N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only). The convict
was also ordered to restitute the sum of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand
Naira Only) to the complainant.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains a photo,
for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3174-court-convicts-fraudster-for-car-auction-scam
**********************************
10 APR 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests 14 Suspected Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal
office, on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, arrested 14 suspected Internet
fraudsters.
The suspects are: Abiola Kayode, Adeleye Adewale, Adeniyi Abiola,
Favour Iruabo, Iyiola Olayemi, Lawal Remilekun and Martins Adetunji.
Others are: Obafunsho Oladipupo Samson, Olaleye Bamilola Hassan,
Oseni Ridwan, Peter Ayobami Samuel, Peter Toluwabori, Prince Jibril
Dirisu and Richard Jerry John.
The suspects were arrested in the Badore Seaside, Ajah area of
Lagos State, following intelligence report received by the
Commission about their activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars and laptops.
The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations
are concluded.
Meanwhile, their arrest is a pointer to the fact that the Commission
is committed to sustaining its clamp down on perpetrators of cyber crimes,
especially in line with its mandate to make the country free from
corruption and economic and financial crimes.
Here is the URL of the press release, which contains photos
of many of the arrestees, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3167-efcc-arrests-14-suspected-internet-fraudsters
**********************************
22 MAR 2018
From the Nierian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC ARRAIGNS A SUSPECTED FRAUDSTER FOR DUPING A SWISS $18,023
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, 20 March,
2018, arraigned Leeroy Egebe, (alias Amedeo Dante William, Alhassan Davide)
before Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court, sitting in Warri,
Delta State on an 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining
money by false pretence to the tune of $18,023.96 (Eighteen Thousand,
Twenty- Three Hundred Dollars, Ninety- Six Cent).
Egebe's troubles began when one Vivian Varotto-Guigoz, a citizen of
Switzerland, petitoned the EFCC alleging that, she met one Amedeo
William Dante (the defendant) who claimed to be an Italian living
in the United Kingdom on a social dating site called "Badoo". They
became lovers, exchanging emotional messages and later cash.
She alleged that, on several occasions, between 12 May and 14 October,
2015, she wired a total sum of CHF 196,701,44 and EUR 15, 957.43 to different
individuals in the United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria at the request of Dante,
for sundry reasons which she later discovered to be fraudulent.
The payments were allegedly made in five instalments: two into British
accounts belonging to Amedeo William Dante and Dittimi Tamara-Finide
while three were made into Nigerian accounts belonging to Alhassan
Davide and Edin Obaro. The petitioner also alleged that the defendant
was reaching her through some English, Canadian and Nigerian telephone
numbers.
Count one of the charge read: "that you Leeroy Egede (a. k. a) Amedeo
Dante William, Alhassan Davide, one Tamara-Finide and Edin Obaro (now
at large) sometime in May, 2015, at Udu, Warri, Delta State, within
the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves
to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud
and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006".
Another count read: "that you Leeroy Egede (a. k. a) Amedeo Dante
William, Alhassan Davide, on or about the 20th day of April, 2015,
at Udu, Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of ($3,564.66)
Three Thousand , Five Hundred and Sixty Four dollars, Sixty - Six cent
under false pretence from one Viviane Varotto-Guigos, a Swiss Nationale,
which said sum was transferred to your Account domiciled at Diamond Bank Plc
by one Tamara-Fiide Dittimi, a pretence you knew to be false, and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud
and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3)
of the same Act".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read
to him.
In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, M. T. Iko asked the court
to fix a date for the commencement of trial. However, counsel to the defendant,
K. D Alufe, made an oral application for bail for his client. He argued that
the alleged offences were bailable and that the defendant did not jump an
earlier administrative bail by the prosecution.
In his ruling, Justice Obile granted the defendant bail in the sum of
N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira), one surety in like sum. The surety
must be a public servant in the service of Federal or Delta state government
on grade level 12 and above. The defendant and the surety must depose
to an affidavit of means among other conditions.
The matter was adjourned to 10 May, 2018 for trial, while the defendant
was remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a
photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3141-efcc-arraigns-a-suspected-fraudster-for-duping-a-swiss-18-023
***************************************
1 MAR 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arraigns Alleged Fraudster for N8.8m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, March 1, 2017
arraigned one Mordi Chukwuwike before Justice P .I. Njoku of the Federal
High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State.
Chukwuwike was arraigned on a 15 count charge bordering on money laundering.
He was alleged to have sometime in September, 2013, conspired with Nnamdi
Nwanze and Abiola Tunde (both at large) to directly take possession of over
Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty
Three Naira Four kobo (8,857,443,04) only from one Cheah Cheow Ping,
a Malaysian.
One of the counts reads: "that you Mordi Chukwuwike, on 18th day of October,
2013 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court directly
took possession of the sum of One Million Four Hundred and Fifty- Eight
Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira( 1,458,269) only from one Cheah
Cheow Ping, a Malaysian, money which to your knowledge, was proceeds
of unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(1)(2)(d)
of the Money Laundering (prohibition) (amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable
under section 15(3) of the 2012 Act".
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution council, S.M.H Ibekwute asked the
court fix a date for trial. However, the defence counsel, S.I.Agoha told
the court that she had filed an application for bail.
Justice P.I. Njoku after listening to both counsel adjourned the case
to March 6, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and March 16, for
the commencement of trial.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a
photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3099-efcc-arraigns-alleged-fraudster-for-n8-8m-fraud
*************************************
19 FEB 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
Court Jails Man One Year for N1.5m Love Scam
Justice Muhammad Yahaya of Kano State High Court on Monday,
February 19, 2018 convicted and sentenced one Abubakar Isiaku
(also known as Hajia Fatima) to one year imprisonment on one-count
charge of obtaining by false pretence preferred against him by
the Kaduna zonal office of the Economic and Financial crimes
Commission, EFCC.
Isiaku, while disguising as a woman was said to have defrauded
many unsuspecting members of the public via Facebook.
In one of his operations, he allegedly lured a complainant into
a relationship and in the process swindled her of N1.5million.
Arraigned on December 18, 2017, Isiaku initially pleaded 'not guilty'
to the charge, but when confronted with damning evidences by the
prosecution he changed his plea to 'guilty'.
Following his admittance of guilty, the prosecuting counsel, Sa'ad
Hannafi Sa'ad, urged the court to convict and sentence him according
to the dictates of the law.
After the evaluation of the evidences placed before the court, Justice
Yahaya pronounced Isiaku guilty of the charge and consequently sentenced him.
The judge also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N1.5million
to the complainant as restitution.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a
photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3061-court-jails-man-one-year-for-n1-5m-love-scam
**************************************
19 FEB 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Docks Man for Internet Scam, Money Laundering
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office
on Monday, February 19, 2018 arraigned one David Ayomide Raphael before
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan,
Oyo State, on an eight-count charge of money laundering.
Raphael was arraigned following an anonymous petition alleging that a
syndicate of fraudsters who resides at Kola area, Oluyole, Ibadan was
into fraudulent activities.
Investigation into the petition by operatives of Commission revealed that
members of the syndicate - Davies Ayomide Raphael and two others at large
(Oyewole Segun Samuel and Adeyemi Adewumi Segun) were specialized in internet
scam through which they defraud innocent people, while using fictitious
address to purchase items online such as cars and furniture with fake PayPal.
It was also discovered that the defendant also engages in online dating
to defraud unsuspecting victims.
One of the counts reads:
"That you, Davies Ayomide Raphael, Adeyemi Adewumi Segun (at large) and
Oyewole Segun Samuel (at large) on or about the 4th of January 2016, at
Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, did agree amongst
yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: money laundering and thereby
committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (a)
of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable
under Section 15 (3) of the same Act".
Another charge reads:
"That you, Davies Ayomide Raphael on the 20th of June 2016, at Ibadan
within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, did directly take
possession of the sum of N235,000.00 (Two Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand
Naira) only transferred to you by Adeyemi Adewumi Segun which sum you
knew or reasonably ought to have known form part of the proceeds of your
unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2)
(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and
punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act".
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sanusi M. Galadanshi prayed
the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant
in prison custody.
However, counsel to the defendant, J. A. Sanusi informed the court of a
pending bail application on behalf of his client and prayed the court
to allow the defendant remain in the EFCC's custody pending the hearing
of the application.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the prayer and ordered that the defendant
be remanded in EFCC's custody pending hearing of his bail application.
The case is adjourned to February 27, 2018 for hearing of bail application
and commencement of trial.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a
photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3059-efcc-docks-man-for-internet-scam-money-laundering
*************************************
7 FEB 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Two for Impersonation and Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested
one Barr. Mike Nkwocha, and a self-professed Colonel of the United
States Army, Richardson Obasogie for impersonating EFCC operatives
to obtain $10,000 by false pretense.
The victim had petitioned the EFCC alleging that one Ladan Mustapha
who claimed to be an operative of EFCC, gave him a call informing him
that there was a petition against him which bordered on illegal acquisition
of assets in different parts of the country and that he was currently
a subject of investigation.
Together with his partner Nkwocha, a meeting was arranged, in which
$200,000 was demanded as gratification in order to "kill" the case,
but $15,000 was later agreed upon as payment.
An initial payment of $5,000 cash was made to Nkwocha while he continued
to pressure him for the balance of $10,000.
However, suspecting foul play, after a retired personnel of the DSS
told the petitioner that EFCC operatives don't demand money to carry
out official duties, the EFCC was petitioned.
Consequently, Nkwocha was arrested. Upon arrest, he confessed that
Obasogie was the "brain" behind the fraud.
A search warrant was executed on their houses which resulted in the
recovery of: letter-head papers of the United States Government,
Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency
(NIA), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Bayelsa
State Government and one computer system.
Nkwocha and Obasogie will be charged to court as soon as investigations
are concluded.
Meanwhile, operatives are intensifying search for Mustapha Lada, who
is currently at large.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes two
photos, for as l;ong as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/3031-efcc-arrests-fake-america-colonel
***************************************
24 JAN 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Man for 30,000 UK Pounds Love Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday,
January 24, 2018, arrested one Fidelis Iruedo, a suspected love
scammer, for allegedly defrauding a United Kingdom citizen of Thirty
Thousand UK Pounds) in a romance scam.
Luck ran out of Iruedo, 31, after a petition to the Commission
by the Nigerian High Commission, London, on behalf of one Alan Digweed,
a UK citizen, alleging that the suspect had defrauded his victim
of the said amount of money.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that Iruedo, who voluntarily
confessed to the crime, met his victim between July and December 2017,
via a date site, match.com.
The suspect, while parading as a lady, procured British passport using
the name 'Tracy Anderson' with which he used to defraud the victim.
He was arrested in Abuja, during an attempt to make withdrawal
in a bank.
On arrest, items recovered from him include: several scam letters,
3 flash drives, 1 iphone and a laptop computer.
The suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations
are concluded.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes
a photo, for as long as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/2970-efcc-arrests-man-for-30-000-love-scam
*********************************
23 JAN 2018
From the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC):
EFCC Arrests Varsity Student for Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office
has arrested a suspected internet scammer, Ilesanmi Babatunde Yemi,
31, a final year Accounting student of Ekiti State University
for alleged internet fraud.
Babatunde, who poses on the internet as an American Army Officer
by the name 'Dennis Martinez' allegedly serving in Libya engages
in internet love and romance scams.
He engages unsuspecting ladies on the internet in a dating and
romance scam through which he fleeces them of their money.
Last of his victims were the duo of Sandra Simundza and Lily F,
both in Australia, from whom he claimed to have obtained about
$500 (five hundred US dollars) in tranches.
Babatunde, according to series of intelligence gathered by the
Commission, allegedly lives ostentatious life without a definite
job. He confessed to have been engaged actively in internet
romance scam in the last four years from which he sustained
his flamboyant lifestyle and bought himself a 2005 Lexus car
with registration number Lagos MUS 404 DX.
Being a part-time student, he also confessed to have spent most
of his time on the dating sites, particularly tinder and okculpid
from which he meets his victims.
Items recovered from him include one laptop Apple macbook Pro;
three ATM cards; one iphone 6 x plus; one Nokia phone and one
international passport. Several love scam mails were also found
and downloaded from his laptops.
The suspect will be arraigned in court soon.
Here is the URL of the press release, which includes a photo,
for as along as it is good:
https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/2963-efcc-arrests-varsity-student-for-internet-fraud
[See 26 APR 2018 News for more on this matter]
***************************************************