EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

They were arrested following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.  

Items recovered from them include different brands of mobile devices, laptops, two cars and several incriminating documents in their possession.

They will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 

Source: EFCC 

Court Adjourns Hearing on Binance Executive’s Bail Application

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 adjourned hearing on the bail application of Binance Holdings Limited  and its executive, Tigran Gambaryan till May 17, 2024.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Gambaryan alongside Binance Holdings Ltd and Nadeem Anjarwalla, (currently at large) on five-count charges bordering on alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

The court had on Thursday, April 18, 2024 adjourned trial till Tuesday for prosecution counsel, Mr Ekele Eheanacho to respond to a bail application filed by the defence counsel, Mark Mordi (SAN).  

At Tuesday’s  proceedings, Mordi argued that the court had the power to grant bail to the defendant and impose conditions to ensure his presence in court.

"My lord, we have an application filed on April 4, 2024, supported by a 17-paragraph affidavit. We rely on all depositions found in the affidavit. There are four reasons why my lord should grant us bail. Pursuant to Section 157 and 52 of ACJA, my Lord has the power to grant bail. It is not a capital offence or felony," Mordi said.

However, Eheanacho opposed the bail application, stating that the defendant is a flight risk. "The defendant attempted to obtain a new passport, which he claimed was stolen, and this was a suspicious act given the proximity to his colleague's escape from custody. We cannot risk granting him bail, especially since he is not attached to any community in Nigeria," he said.

Arguing further, Iheanacho stated that "the fact that the passport of the defendant is with the complainant does not guarantee that he will remain in Nigeria, because the defendant is not only an American citizen but also an Armenian citizen by birth. We are urging the honourable court to refuse the application and instead remand him in EFCC custody to ensure his safety and prevent potential flight risk.”

In response to this, Mordi argued that the defendant posed no flight risk and that the prosecution was not certain that the defendant has an Armenian passport, adding that “Moreover, there is no Armenian Embassy in Nigeria that issues or prints passports."

After listening to the submissions, the court adjourned the matter till May 17, 2024, for ruling on the bail application. 

 

Court Jails 20 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  on Wednesday and Thursday April 17 &18, 2024  secured the conviction and sentence of 20 internet fraudsters before Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

The convicts are: Blessing Daniel, Kingsley Okoroafor, Amos Ohwofa, Eromosele Victory, Oba Nicholas Destiny, Lucky Osaro, Edema Emmanuel John, Obazee Precious, Akinyemi Seun, Ufumwen Victor, Enoch Ehigiator, Adurotimi Olakunle Justin, Oserei Clinton and Oserei Abraham.

Others are Obazee Gabriel, Richard Godfrey Obazee, Ricard Israel, Paul O. Endurance, Destiny Ajimi and Ejiwe Blessing Julius

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the  EFCC.

The charge against Ajimi reads:

That you Destiny Ajimi (M) on or about 4th April, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

The charge against Julius reads: “That you Ejiwe Blessing Julius(M) on or about 4th April, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo. I.K Agwai and K.Y. Bello, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.

 

Justice Ikponmwonba  on April 17, sentenced the trio of  Ohwofa,  Daniel and Julius to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each while Akinyemi Seun bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.  Justice Ituseli convicted the trio of Eromosele Victory, Obi Nicholas Destiny and Lucky Osaro to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each while Kingsley Okarafor, Destiny Ajimi and Edema Emmanuel John bagged three years imprisonment or a  fine of N100,000.

On Thursday April 18, Justice Ikponmwonba convicted 10 of the defendants -  Precious, Victor,  Ehigiator,  Justin, Clinton,  Abraham, Gabriel, Obazee, Israel and Endurance to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.

The judges ordered the convicts to forfeit their phones, laptops,  balances in their various bank accounts and three vehicles - Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and a Toyota Camry being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The convicts’ road to the prison began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer- related fraud.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a  suspected internet fraudster, Ali Desmond Chinedum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  

 

He was arrested following credible intelligence on his suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

 

Items recovered from him include, one iPhone 11 Pro Max, One Redmi 12 Android mobile device, two  United States Navy identity cards with number: 100040041245 and 100010041159, one Mercedez Benz GLK and one HP Laptop computer device and charms.

 

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 

Source: EFCC

FATF Grey List: EFCC, NFIU Step up Exit Plan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 mapped out fresh strategies geared towards Nigeria’s exit from Financial Action Task Force, FATF’s Grey List.

The strategies arose from a courtesy visit of the Director and Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.

Bakari,  in her speech,  stated that the visit was driven by a kindred spirit, need for stronger bridges of relationship and the FATF challenge. “Our visit today is a recognition of the shared history and a step towards building the foundations of a stronger partnership. We are also here to discuss the steps we need to take together to ensure that Nigeria exits from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force in the near future.”

 In a presentation, the NFIU’s boss outlined the various intelligence-generating and sharing modalities her Unit has been undertaken to serve relevant agencies across the country. She also laid bare how the NFIU has been enforcing compliance obligations of reporting entities to it. She pledged greater effectiveness and integrity of intelligence to tackle corruption, insecurity, banditry,  terrorist financing and other threats to peace and progress of the nation.  “I assure the Commission that we will continue to carry out our assignments with utmost integrity and effectiveness”, she said.  

Olukoyede in his remarks assured her of EFCC’s total involvement and commitment in all that are needed towards the exit. “We are together in this. The EFCC has been playing major roles in driving the exit action plan. And I assure you that we will not rest on our oars, not necessarily to satisfy the international community alone but for the overall growth and development of our nation.  “Foreign interests alone must not drive us to do what is right but the interest of our country. We should always do what is right at all times, not just to satisfy any foreign interests but because right is right,  Let’s carry out the action plan to grow our economy.”

 The FATF, February 2023, added Nigeria to its list of countries under monitoring, designated as “Grey List.” This listing required the country to implement an action plan comprising 19 items before May 2025 to avoid the greater danger of upgrade to the “Black List” which comes with dire economic consequences. 

Olukoyede expressed optimism that the combined works of the EFCC, NFIU and other relevant agencies will assist Nigeria to exit the grey list.

He reiterated his commitment towards preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes, stressing that it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it.

 

Source:  EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Fake Afghan Soldier for $1000 Internet Fraud in Port Harcourt

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for impersonating an Afghanistan soldier and obtaining money under false pretence.

Ikeaghichi is facing trial on two-count charges, which run contrary to Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

EFCC Arrests Barber, 11 other Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Uyo

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday March 14, 2024, arrested a barber, and  eleven suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

They were arrested following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

Source: EFCC

EFCC: Makurdi Court Jails Five Internet Fraudsters

Justices M.S.Abubakar and R.J. Egbe of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State have convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts: Ibi Shedrach Suurshter, Onazi Moses Oche, Innocent Ochola and Teseer Mnenge and Agbo Lawrence were jailed after pleading guilty to one- count separate charges upon their arraignment by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge against Oche reads:  “That you Onazi Moses Oche sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud used an access device issued to one Solomon Onuwa resulting from an aggregate gain of  N2,345.000.00 to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015”.

Upon their arrangements,   the convicts pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.   Consequently the facts of the cases were reviewed and incriminating documents tendered in evidence before the court, following which prosecuting counsel, A.S Idris, prayed the court to sentence them accordingly.

 

After listening to all counsels,  Justice Abubakar convicted and sentenced  Suurshater to one year imprisonment with an option of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira)  as fine.

Oche was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of N600,000.00 ( Six Hundred Thousand Naira) as fine.

Also,  the judge convicted and sentenced Ochola to two  years imprisonment with an option of fine of  N1,000,000,00 ( One Million Naira). Terseer Mnenge was also convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.

The fifth convict,  Agbo was convicted and sentenced by Justice Egbe.

 He bagged one year imprisonment with an option of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) as fine.

The two judges further ordered them to forfeit all their phones, being proceeds of crime, to the government.

All the convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested for internet-related offences.  They were investigated individually and prosecuted.

 

Source: EFCC

EFCC Arraigns One for N11.4m Fraud in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 arraigned one Ukwueze Chidera Matthew before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N11, 458, 597. 53 (Eleven Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Fifty-Three kobo).

 

One of the charges reads: “That you,”Ukwueze Chidera Matthew, Chijioke Stephen Thomas (At large) and Chibuike Ignatius Okoli (At large) sometimes between 30th March 2022 and 8th June 2022 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria retained the sum of N11, 458, 597. 53 (Eleven Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-eight thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-seven Naira, Fifty-three koko) which you stole from Keystone account number 1012123695 belonging to Ajogwu Blessing Ukamaka which you knew or ought to have known to be proceed of your unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (b) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.

 

He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him and in view of his plea,  counsel to the EFCC, B. Ajogwu prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility. Defence counsel, G. O. Ugwuoke however informed the court about a pending bail application before it.

 

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo thereafter adjourned the matter till March 12, 2024 for hearing of bail application and June 26 and 27, 2024 for trial. The defendant was remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

 

The defendant was arrested owing to the claims of a petitioner that  he allegedly withdrew N11, 458, 597. 53 from her bank account without her consent.

Investigations revealed that the defendant, who belongs to a syndicate of fraudsters, stole the petitioner’s Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card and used the same to hack into her bank account and diverted the said sum.

Source: EFCC 

Oyo, Ogun Courts Jail 14 Internet Fraudsters

Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.A. Lajide, Bayo Taiwo, M.O. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan and Justice E.O. Osinuga of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta have convicted and sentenced fourteen (14) internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges upon being arraigned by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, between February 23, 2024 and March 5, 2024.

The convicts are Olajide Oluwadare Samuel, Emmanuel Victor Oluwasegun, Ajibola Najeeb Ayomide, Adebayo Akinwumi Oluwadamilare, Ayodele Wonderful Samson, Olawunmi OlusolaTaiwo, Akorede Habeeblahi Babatunde, Dasilva Olamide Samson, Oyeneye Jeremiah Abiodun, Kodagbese Emmanuel Aduragbemi, Oyebade Ayomide Olamide, Olarewaju Isaiah Oluwadamilare, Abdulazeez Abdulmalik Ifayemi Ayokun and Khalid Ayomide Hammed.

One of the Charges reads:

“That you, Oyeneye Jeremiah Abiodun ‘M’ on or about 5th May, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white woman by the name Janet Katty from United States of America, through your email address ([email protected]) to one Necib Akbay, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence of personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38 Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

The convicts pleaded “guilty” when their charges were read to them.

Consequent upon their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels, Modupe Akinkoye, Abdulrasheed Suleiman, Shamsuddeen Bashir and Umar Abiso reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.

After listening to the counsels, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Samson, Taiwo, Babatunde, Olamide Samson, Olamide and Ayokun to six months community service each and Oluwadamilare to three months community service.

He also ordered Samson, Taiwo, Babatunde, Olamide Samson, Olamide and Ayokun pay the sum of N100, 000.00K (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine each, alongside their jail terms and “refusal to pay the N100,000.00K fine and restitute their victims within four weeks from the judgment date or their six months community service be converted to two years imprisonment each”.

Furthermore, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Aduragbemi to one year imprisonment or One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000.00K) fine, Oluwasegun to six months community service or N50, 000.00K (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine, while Abiodun was convicted and ordered to pay N50, 000.00K (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.

Also, Justice Lajide convicted and sentenced Ayomide to N750, 000.00K (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine and Akinwumi Oluwadamilare bagged six months community service and N700, 000.00K (Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively.

Justice Osinuga convicted Samuel but discharged him without a sentence while Justice Ishola convicted and sentenced Hammed to six months community service.

The convicts were all ordered to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

They all bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested at various locations by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC. They were subsequently charged to court and convicted.

Source: EFCC

EFCC Arrests 48 Suspected Internet Fraudsters, Herbalist in Lokoja

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 48 (Forty-eight) suspected internet fraudsters and herbalist for offences bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

They were arrested upon credible intelligence on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at various locations in Lokoja, The herbalist, believed to be a spiritual godfather of internet fraudsters, was arrested with various charms.

Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, two motorcycles, 11 laptops, 83 mobile phones and charms.

The suspects, all male, between the ages of 17 -34 will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

Source: EFCC 

WANTED BY THE EFCC – Leno Laitan Adesanya

 WANTED BY THE EFCC

Leno Laitan Adesanya is WANTED by the EFCC for offences bothering on economic and financial crimes. Any info on his whereabout? Please contact the EFCC offices or the nearest Police Station. 

#EFCCNigeria

Court Jails Five Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts are Jacob Sunday, Olarenwaju Adewale, Emmanuel Tomiwa Ajayi, Adewale Elufadejin Festus and Seyi Olumeko.

Sunday and Adewale were jailed on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 while the trio of Ajayi, Festus and Olumeko were jailed on Thursday February 29, 2024.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge against Ajayi reads: "that you Emmanuel Tomiwa Ajayi (m) on or about 12th February, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.2006 and punishable under section 1(3)of same Act."

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them, prompting prosecution counsels, I.K Agwai, K. Y. Bello, A.A.Ibrahim to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.

 

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Sunday, Adewale, Olumeko and Festus to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each while Ajayi bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

The judge ordered that the convicts forfeit their phones, balances in their various bank accounts being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.

The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in fraudulent activities.

Source: EFCC 

Court Jails Three BDC Operators Three Years in Kano

Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Kano on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, convicted and sentenced three illegal bureau de change operators to three years imprisonment for operating without a requisite licence.  

The convicts: Umar Ibrahim Muhammad, Abubakar Yakubu Garba and Muhammad Tijjani were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count   separate charges of illegal dealing in foreign currency without an appropriate licence.

The lone-count charge reads: “That you Ibrahim Muhammad, sometime in February 2024 in Kano within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did engage in a financial operation of bureau de change without a valid licence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 (5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 and punishable under Section 57 (5) (B) of the same Act.”

They all pleaded “guilty” to the charge read to them in English and interpreted in Hausa, upon which prosecution counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded for mercy and leniency.

 Justice Yunusa thereafter convicted and sentenced Muhammad, Garba and Tijani to one year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N100,000(One Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

Their road to jail began when they were arrested by operatives of the Kano Command of the EFCC for operating a BDC without an appropriate licence.

Source: 

EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Kano

Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirteen (13) suspected internet fraudsters in Badawa area of Kano metropolis, Kano State.

The suspects were arrested following intelligence signalling a syndicate of suspected internet fraudsters perpetrating cyber- related crimes where they were arrested.

In the course of the arrest, several incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Source: EFCC 

Two Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Kaduna

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentence of Mohammed Nasir Sadeeq for cheating and Daniel John for cheating by impersonation 

before Justice A.A Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court.

 Both were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on cheating and personation.

One of the count charge reads: “That you Daniel John (a.k.a Jamie Doman) male, sometime in November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, impersonated one Jamie Doman when you pretended to be a Bitcoin online investor agent on Instagram, obtained the sum of $200 (Two Hundred Dollars) from unsuspecting persons and thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

They both pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them. Consequent on their pleas, EFCC counsel, Y.J Matiyak prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

 Justice Isiaka thereafter convicted and sentenced John to one year imprisonment or a fine option of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). In addition, he forfeited his iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy 10 both of which were proceeds of his crime to the government, while Sadeeq was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment with a fine option of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested at Fifth Chukker, Maraban Jos, Kaduna State. Investigations showed that John was using identities of different foreigners to defraud unsuspecting members of the public while Mohammed cheated his victim to the tune of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira).

 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 36 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abeokuta

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirty-six (36) suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

They were arrested on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Gbokoniyin and Yetedo areas of Abeokuta in Ogun State, following actionable intelligence gathered and worked upon by the Commission.

Items recovered from them include nine exotic vehicles, fourteen (14) laptops, forty-nine (49) mobile phones and other incriminating documents.

The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Source: EFCC

EFCC Arrests 27 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Bauchi

Operatives of the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  on Thursday, February 22, 2024, arrested 27 suspected internet fraudsters.

 

They were arrested at D&D Apartment and Bubes Hotel, Yelwa, Bauchi State, following credible information on their suspected involvement in internet- related offences.

 

Items recovered from the suspects include a BMW car, iphones, Ipads, laptops and a desktop computer.

 

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Alleged $370,000 Fake Marriage: EFCC Recovers $13,204, Property, Vehicles from Defendant-Witness

A Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, in the trial of Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for defrauding an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers the sum  of $370,000 (Three Hundred and Seventy Thousand United States Dollars) in a contrived marriage, Okanne Kelechi,  on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 told Justice U.P Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  High Court, Maitama, Abuja that the EFCC has recovered the sum of  $13,204.00 (Thirteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Four United States Dollars) from the defendant.

 

Also recovered from the defendant is a plot of land in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, a Lexus Ex 350 and Toyota Venza cars.

 

The witness who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Fatsuma Muhammad disclosed that among the evidence against the defendant are “various fraudulent profiles in Linkedin which he admitted to creating,” adding that there was also a fraudulent contract award letter printed from his phone. That same letter was sent to his American victim  in chats claiming that the contract was awarded to him by the Federal government.”

 

Kelechi told the court that  investigation into the matter involved  writing a letter of investigation of the defendant’s activities to the Forensic Department of the EFCC,  several local banks as well as the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, with the purported contract award letter attached.

 

He further told the court that a response from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing indicated that the award was not genuine. The defendant admitted sending the fake contract award letter to Sayers and other foreign victims

 

“We received our report from the 

Forensic Department and our findings for his gadgets. The victim, Nicole, also sent evidence of transactions received from international money transfer operators. From other analyses, we discovered that part of this money was sent into his bank account supervised by his sister, one Nwachi Doris Chinenye”, he said.

 

Tendered in evidence against the defendant were certificate of identification, notice of nominal complaint with copies of intent to award contract and iPhone 11Pro Max. The PW2 further informed the court that upon confronting the defendant with the evidence, his lawyers responded with a letter for a plea bargain. “We recovered $13,204, Lexus Ex350 and Toyota Venza.

 

Justice Kekemeke adjourned the matter till April 30, 2024 for continuation of trial.

 

Nwachi was arrested on Wednesday,  February 15, 2023 in Abuja for allegedly marrying an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers  falsely and defrauded her in the process.  Sayers alleged that the defendant lured her into a false marriage and defrauded her of her savings.

Source; EFCC

EFCC Arrests 14 FUTA Undergraduates, 19 Others for Suspected Internet Fraud

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested fourteen undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

 

They were arrested alongside nineteen( 19) others in the early hours of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 for suspected internet crimes.

The suspects were arrested at different residential locations within Akure metropolis following intelligence on their alleged nefarious activities. Specifically, the sting operation that yielded their arrest was a response to strident calls to the EFCC by neighbours and parents around the locations, to save their children from being lured into internet-related activities by the suspects.

Items recovered at the point of arrest include ten exotic cars, phones, laptops and one motor bike.

The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Source; EFCC