Scam Alert: TrustCoin Africa Limited, registered in South Africa out to defraud across the Continent

A Registered South Africa company

TrustCoin Africa Limited is out scamming across many countries in Africa and beyond. Notably the so called company is operating and receiving investments from unsuspecting citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya  and South Africa among others.

 The company is registered in South Africa with number SA83377770, according to the website ( https://trustcoinafrica.com/about )

Aside receiving payments in a cryptocurrency Bitcoin, in Nigeria the scam TrustCoin Africa Limited is also receiving cash through a Sterling Bank account number: 8511001179. The Account Name is EDIRI VIGHOR.

For BTC, the company is using an account with Luno. It has three levels of investment circles: three days, seven days and thirty days.

TrustCoin Africa Limited claimed it's offices are located in South Africa and United States:

South Africa — 47 Openview Drive, Hogsfront, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

US —  8145 Beechwood Lane, Plymouth, MA 02360, Massachusetts, United States.

 Phone: +1 5143124165

Name of the Principal Officer: Francisco David.

Reliably gathered, the site has not been paying any investors for the past 4 weeks and still counting whatever current payment claims are just computer manipulations via algorithm.

All other online reviews by the Scam Alerts clearly revealed the organisation to be a scam as it offers unrealistic returns on investments .

The Nigeria's anti corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) should look into how to halt the activities of TrustCoin Africa Limited in Nigeria and through interpol bring the perpetrator (s) to book.

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Alleged N950m Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial of Two Suspected Forex Fraudsters Till Oct 28

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, July 1, 2024, adjourned till October 28, 2024 further hearing in the trial of one Alhaji Usman Abubakar  and  Young Alhaji Foundation over an alleged N950m  forex fraud.

Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.

One of the counts reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Young Alhaji Foundation and Dr. Abu Omer Fawaz (at large), sometime in September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N950, 000,000 from Ano Farms Limited under the false pretence that you had the dollar equivalent of the said sum, which pretence you knew to be false."

Another count reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar and Young Alhaji Foundation, on the 20th of September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to dishonestly convert the sum of N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of Ano Farms Limited to the use of Abdullahi Mohammed."

He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the second  defendant, G. C. Ugwunweze at Monday proceedings, the first  prosecution witness, PW1, Niyi Oyewole, who is the nominal complainant and Managing Director of Ano Farms Limited,  again re-affirmed his testimony that Fawaz linked him up with the defendant and that he, thereafter, transferred the money to him.

He, however, stated that when the dollar equivalent was not forthcoming, Fawaz told him that Young Alhaji had been instructed to return the funds.

During the proceedings, Ugwunweze tendered some documents regarding a related case before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah as well as a letter to the bank on payment instruction.

They were admitted as exhibits p4, p5 and p6, respectively.

Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 28 and 29, 2024 for continuation of trial.

Source: EFCC 

Court Jails Five for Internet Fraud in Kaduna

Justices R.M Aikawa and A. Isiaka on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to prison in Kaduna. 

Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court Kaduna sentenced and convicted the trio of Molwat Terah Sati, Zumshak Paul Wankof and Chidi Tochukwu Emmanuel, while Abraham Daniel (a.k.a Eric Wallace) and Amos Wisdom (a.k.a Laura Lute) were convicted by Justice Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court.

 

All the convicts were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one-count separate charges, bordering on internet crimes.

 

Sati’s charge reads: “That you Molwat Terah Sati (a.k.a Helena Bialas) sometime in April, 2024 at Bankers Apartment, Reyfield, Jos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Helena Bialas on Facebook (an online social media platform) to unsuspecting members of the public with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc)Act, 2015.”

 

That of Wisdom reads: “That you Wisdom (a.k.a. Laura Lute) sometimes between April and May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: cheating by impersonation when you falsely represented yourself as Laura Lute (a pornstar) on Facebook (an online social media platform) and in such assumed identity induced unsuspecting victims in the public to send to you the total sum of N 3,155,340.00 ( Three Million, One Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Naira ) only, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.” 

 

They all pleaded “guilty” to their respective charges,  prompting prosecution counsel M.J Argungu and M.Lawal to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly. 

 

Justices Aikawa convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira). He handed Wankof three years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.00, (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). He also forfeited $200( Two Hundred United States Dollars) to the federal government, while Sati got three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

 

Similarly, Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced Daniel to three years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000.00, (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and sentenced Wisdom to five years imprisonment or a fine of N 300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).

Additionally, Wisdom is to restitute the sum of N2,300,000 ( Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) to the victim.

 

All the convicts forfeited their phones, being the tools of their crimes to the federal government.

 

The road to jail began for Sati, Wankof and Emmanuel when they were arrested in Jos, Plateau State, while that of Daniel and Wisdom began after they were picked up in Kaduna metropolis, following credible intelligence on their fraudulent internet activities.

Source: EFCC 

Alleged N109bn Fraud: EFCC Didn’t Promise Former AGF Won’t be Prosecuted - Witness

The third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Abdulhamid Isa Muri, in the ongoing trial-within-trial of the former Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Ahmed Idris, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, told Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, did not promise Idris that he was not going to face prosecution for his N109 billion alleged loot.

Muri is a staff of the EFCC whose duties involve intelligence gathering, conducting surveillance, partaking in undercover operations, interacting with informants and any other duty legally assigned by the Director of investigations or Zonal Director of Kano Command.

At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Muri while narrating how the defendant made his statement voluntarily,  pointed out that the Commission did not make such promises to the defendant.

.

According to the PW3, he met the first defendant through the former Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogon Daji, who introduced him to the defendant and informed him that the defendant came to submit some documents linked to the investigation.

"On the 10th June, 2022, the first defendant went to our office and met the then zonal commander, Mr Faruk Dogon Daji, an Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACEI, in his office and based on this, the Zonal Commander sent for me and told me that the first defendant came to submit some documents that are linked to the investigation that was on-going concerning him and that I should take him to my office to write a about the documents",  he said.

According to him, “the first defendant in company of one Lawal Badamasi followed me to my office and the office is an open office where everybody can come in and go out and there in the office, there is one Mubarak, a staff of the Commission and Yusuf Baba Yusuf,” he said.

Continuing, PW3 said, “I administered a cautionary word, I told him his rights, I wrote out the cautionary word and he said he understood and thereafter he volunteered his statement mentioning the documents one after the other and signed the documents with the date of that day.”

When confronted by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, with the allegation of the EFCC promising the defendant that the Commission will not prosecute him,  Muri, said the Commission did not make such a promise to the defendant.

“The first defendant is alleging that this statement of June 10, 2022, is a product of promise, that he will not be prosecuted, what is your take,” Atolagbe asked.

“It is not true my Lord; I am not the investigation officer, I am just directed to take his statement,” he said.  According to Muri, the former AGF was not detained in the facility of the Kano Zonal Command of the Commission.

Justice Halilu Yusuf later discharged the witness after the cross-examination and adjourned the matter till October 29, 2024, for defence of trial-within-trial after the counsel to the first defendant cross-examined the PW3.

Idris  is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 14-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N109, 485,572,691. The EFCC arraigned Idris before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 22, 2022.

He was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

Source: EFCC

Alleged procurement fraud: Court adjourns Emefiele’s trial until Oct. 22

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned until Oct. 21 for the continuation of the trial of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over alleged procurement fraud.
Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

How Emefiele Approved Contracts, Payments for Wife, Brother-in-law - Witness

The Seventh Prosecution Witness, (PW7) in the trial of former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele on Monday, June 24, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, that Emefiele signed and approved contract awards and payments to April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited. The companies are owned by Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a staff of the apex bank, his wife Margaret, and her brother, Jonathan Omoile respectively.

The witness, Agboro Michael, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is a member of  inter-agency investigation team that comprise the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Department of State Services, DSS and the Nigeria Police Force. During his cross-examination by defence counsel, Mathew Burkaa, (SAN) said that Emefiele was the approving authority of the contracts awarded to both companies having endorsed all the contract award documents and given approval for payments to the companies.

 

Burkaa identified exhibits F24 to F44 which are letters from the CBN to April 1616 Investments Limited, for the award of contracts for the supply of cars to the apex bank as well as documents showing requests for payments from the company to the CBN for the delivery of the cars, all signed by Emefiele.

 

Similarly, the witness identified exhibits A1 to A8, as documents containing memos from CBN for the award of contracts to Architekon Nigeria Limited, belonging to Emefiele’s wife and her brother for the renovation of the CBN governor’s residence, provision of dedicated power lines and supply of furniture as well as requests of payments in respect of the contracts to the company, all approved by Emefiele.

 

Justice Muazu admitted the exhibits in evidence and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, June 25, 2024 for re-examination of the witness.

 

The former CBN governor is standing trial before Justice Muazu on amended 20 count-charges that border on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

Source: EFCC 

How EFCC Arrests Two Former Bankers for Stealing Dead Customer’s Money in Makurdi

Operatives of  Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have arrested two former staff of  Union Bank in Makurdi for allegedly stealing the sum of  N4,199,500.00 (Four Million One Hundred and Ninety Nine  Thousand Five Hundred Naira)  belonging to a deceased customer of the bank.

 

The suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute were arrested on Friday,  June 21, 2024 in Makurdi, Benue State.

 

Their arrest followed  a petition against them by the bank on  fraudulent debits on a deceased customer,  Emmanuel  Azer Agenna’s  account. Their dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account of the deceased for probate processing. The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account. 

 

Based on their complaints, the bank  carried out an  internal investigation  and its findings revealed that a debit card  was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023 by Ifah Ogoh,  one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates  which was authorised by the bank on the same date.

Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates,  Agbo Omwute who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of  funds from the account of the deceased. Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the  accomplice 

    

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

Source: EFCC 

Alleged $5m Fraud: Court Dismisses Defendant’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, dismissed the application filed by Capt. Everest Nnaji , a second defendant in a $5m fraud trial, challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the case filed against him and one Victor Uadiale.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $5 million.

One of the counts reads: "That you, Victor  Uadiale (aka Victor Emeka/Amaka Emeka), Captain Everest Nnaji and Ismail Lawal (now at large), between 22nd April and 12th day of October 1998, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of $1,292,000.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand United States Dollar) from  Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, by falsely representing to him that the said sum represented payment for Urea Phosphate fertilizer, which you claimed was procured from National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Port Harcourt and Bonny Light crude oil, which pretext you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to  Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 13 of 1995 as amended by Act No. 62 of 1999."

They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them when they were first arraigned on December 14, 2018, and maintained the same plea to the amended charges.

The victim, Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, had testified as the first prosecution witness, narrating how he unwittingly fell into the trap of parting with his money.

The prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had on September 28, 2022, closed its case after calling six witnesses and tendering several documentary evidence against them.

The defence, however, filed a no-case submission.

Justice Dada had, on March 23, 2023, dismissed the no-case submission filed by the defendants as lacking merit and also ordered them to open their defence.

Though the first defendant had begun his testimony denying the charges preferred against him, the application of the second defendant challenging jurisdiction remained pending.

The second defendant had argued that the charge was incompetent and urged the court to strike out his name from the charge sheet.

The prosecution, through its counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to order the second defendant to open his defence.

Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Dada held that the application was only intended to stall the trial and “it, therefore, fails and is hereby dismissed.”

The case was adjourned till Thursday, October 3, 2024 for continuation of trial.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Charges Casino, Gaming Operators on Compliance With AML/ CFT Regulations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged operators in both the casino and gaming sectors in the country to comply with  Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) laws in their operations.

This call was made in Lagos on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at a workshop tagged “Promoting Implementation of Customer Due Diligence and Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) Requirements in Casinos and Gaming Sector" organized by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a Department in the EFCC.

Speaking at the occasion, Michael T. Wetkas,  acting Lagos Zonal Director of the EFCC,  who declared the workshop open, said: “ We acknowledge and appreciate your significant contributions to the nation's economic growth.  However, we urge you to ensure that your operations align with the provisions of the law”.

Wetkas, who was represented by Richard  Adejumo, Head, Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Command, added that “Our goal is to support Nigeria's efforts to exit the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) list. A key area of focus is enhancing Know Your Customer (KYC) practices, which will help prevent Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) from using your platforms for money laundering and embezzlement."

Earlier, Pascal Samu, acting Deputy Director, SCUML, EFCC Headquarters, said: “This event must be seen as part of the continued partnership between SCUML and  stakeholders in the gaming industry towards the development of an effective, sustainable and mutually beneficial AML/CFT supervision of the sector in Nigeria.”

He further explained that as industry operators, they must continue to promote the adoption of measures, such as customers’ due diligence, detection and filing of suspicious transaction reports, implementation of targeted financial sanction and beneficial ownership verification, among others.

According to him, “This will strengthen your compliance and build a common formidable response against terrorist financiers and other criminal elements seeking to abuse the sector.”

He also stated that the workshop, in addition to building individual operator’s capacity, would also enable a cross-fertilization of ideas and experience-sharing across the industry.”

In his remarks,  Bashiru Are, Executive Director of Lagos State Lotteries Board, LSLB, urged the participants to take the issue of compliance seriously.

In her presentation titled “Overview of Typology Studies( Corruption and Money Laundering)”,  Ibinabo Mary Amachree, Head, SCUML Lagos, exposed  participants to the  various methods, patterns, and techniques that criminals use in exploiting casinos operators and how to avoid falling prey to them.

She also encouraged participants to support the EFCC in its efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

Folashade Oluwasanya, a senior Compliance Officer with SCUML, Lagos, delivered a lecture on “ Implementing Targeted Financial  Sanctions in the Casino Sector”, while  Sylvester Akpan, also an officer in SCUML, Lagos, spoke on “ The Importance  of Know Your Customers,KYC,/ Customer Due Diligence”.

 

Source: EFCC 

How Agunloye Received N5.2m in Alleged $6b Mambila Power Project Contract Fraud — Witness

A prosecuting witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye on Monday, June 10, 2024 narrated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital City,  FCT High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, how multiple transfers were made in favour of Agunloye by Jide Sotirin, a staff of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on seven-count charges  bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambila Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).

The witness, Adebayo Ilori, a compliance officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB,  

while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, 

disclosed that “Sometimes  in October 2022, the bank received a letter from EFCC requesting for some information on the account opening package, statement of account and certificate of identification on two customers, Olu Agunloye and Jide Sotirin. Upon receiving the letter, Wale Agunbiade, head of the Unit went ahead to generate the statement of account from the computer system of the bank”.

“Upon receiving the account opening package and statement of account, we compared the information generated because the statement of account was generated from the bank’s application by imputing the customer’s details on the computer system and all the parameters requested, which was then printed out. Then the bank compared what was printed and what was on the system to ascertain the accuracy of documents. 

“The bank further prepared a covering letter and certificate of identification with the requested documents, which was signed by Wale Agunbiade, and then dispatched to the EFCC.”

When shown the acknowledgment copy of the said documents from the EFCC and GTB’s response by prosecution counsel, the witness confirmed that they were genuine, following which they were admitted by the court as exhibits.

Further in his testimony, the witness stated that Sotirin was the signatory to the account from which he transferred a total sum of N5, 221,000 (Five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand) to Agunloye, allegedly in relation to the Mambila 

Power Project contract award.

The witness established that Sotirin on August 10, 2019, transferred the sum of N3,600,000 from his account to Agunloye. On October 22, 2019, he transferred 

N500,000 to Agunloye and equally did so on November 13, 2019  to the tune of N1,121,000.

“On exhibit EFCC (1b), the name of the account holder is Agunloye Olu and it is a  naira account. On 10 August 2019, there was a transfer credit of N3,600,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun in favour of Agunloye Olu. Also on 22 October 2019, there was a credit transfer of N500,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloye and on 13 Nov 2019, there was a credit transfer of N1,121,000 from Jide Sotirin Abiodun to Agunloye Olu,” the witness stated. 

The matter was adjourned till June 11, 2024 for cross-examination. 

Source: EFCC 

How EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of N204.8m, 15 Properties for Fraud Victims

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday June 10, 2024 secured the final forfeiture of  the sum of N204, 849, 859:00 (Two Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Naira), 15 properties and eight high-end vehicles before Justice Inyang.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for  fraud victims.

 

The properties, money and vehicles were recovered from Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa, which he illegitimately acquired through his companies: Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd., Omega Global Resources, Jedidiah Universal Transport Hephz Ltd, Afrinvest Asset Management Ltd, The Gurguru Company Ltd, Josien Holdings Ltd, Prince Hephzibah Ibrahim Ezenwa and Prime Ebulah Properties Ltd from his victims, Ibrahim Amusan, Afri Invest Ltd, Joisen Holdings Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd.

The properties include: four bedroom ensuite apartment at Guzape, Asokoro New Extension, Abuja; five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter in Chevy View Estate; Block LXX, Plot 19-20, Buckingham Court F, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Ajtran, Eti-osa Local Government Area,  LGA, Lagos; one unit of four- bedroom terrace duplex – Block B, House 3 at No. 15, Chief Bamidele Eletu Avenue, Osapa – Lekki, Lagos; three bedroom apartment on Plot 7, Block XXii, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos; and a five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter on Block LXX, Plot 21-23, Buckingham Court B, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Chevy View Estate, Ajtran, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos, State.

Others are: four bedroom terrace duplex, located on Plot No. 48 Block R, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State; four bedroom terrace duplex located on Plot No. 18A Block S, Core Area, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State, and Sub-plot No. TRCD29/Plot No. 4851 located on Citiscape Villa, Guzape District, Cadastral Zone A09, FCT.

The eight vehicles include: one white SLK 350 Mercedes Benz; one black Selverado 4x4 Hilux; one Hummer Jeep, H3 black; BMW X6 Wine Red SUV; one black CLS 63 Mercedes Benz; one cobalt ITZ Chevrolet saloon, a BMW Z40 IL black and white, and one Mercedes Benz G-Wagon SUV, Chassis No. WDCYC7AFZAX183776 (BLACK).

The final forfeiture of the properties were granted by the court through EFFC’s  counsel, Ibrahim Buba  who had earlier secured an interim order of forfeiture which was  followed up with a publication in national dailies for anyone to show cause why the properties and items should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

With no objection coming from any quarters within the court-stipulated time frame, the Commission applied to the court for their final forfeiture to the victims

Jerry U. Musa, a defence counsel,  showed up for the defendants during the final forfeiture proceedings and objected to

 EFCC’s power to investigate the case, which he described as “a mere breach of contract.”

Justice Ekwo, who disagreed with the defence counsel held that “It is a contract scam and the EFCC had power to investigate and prosecute it by virtue of Section 6 of its Establishment Act.” The judge further held that the EFCC through its counsel Buba convinced the court that the money, properties and vehicles were proceeds of crime.  He thereafter ordered them to be finally forfeited to the victims through the Federal Government.

The journey to the final forfeiture began when the victims petitioned the Commission, alleging conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, fraudulent conversion of funds and money laundering against the defendants.

Investigations showed that the first defendant, Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa had approached the petitioner, Ibrahim Amusan through Messrs Hamilton Resources International for purchase of United States Dollars, having claimed to be a dealer  in foreign currency. On the strength of his claim, the petitioners transferred a total sum of N1, 904, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant, Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd in exchange for an equivalent amount in dollars.

Furthermore, Afri Invest Ltd, Hakan & Bath Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd through the petitioner, later

 transferred the sum of N1, 274, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy-four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant's Unity Bank account number  in exchange for United States Dollars.

However, instead of the first defendant and his companies providing the petitioners with the dollar equivalent of the funds as captured in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties, he converted the funds to his personal use by acquiring properties and vehicles with the money.

 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests Four Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 6,  2024, arrested four suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.

The suspects were arrested during a sting operation at the Kubwa axis of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  Abuja, following intelligence and surveillance on their alleged fraudulent activities in the area.

Items recovered from the suspects include four brands of mobile phone.

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

 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests Three for Suspected Naira Mutilation in Benin

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, have arrested three persons for suspected naira mutilation and abuse.

The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in Naira abuse. 

 

The suspects are: Stanley Ogbolu, 35, Odiaka Sorwu 42, and Kelvin Anyakwu, 42

 

They were arrested in Asaba, Delta State at a burial ceremony allegedly spraying naira notes on a celebrant.

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

 

Source: EFCC 

Oyo Courts Jail 36 Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of thirty-six (36) internet fraudsters to various jail terms before Justices Uche Agomoh and E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State;  Ladiran Akintola, K.B. Olawoyin, Bayo Taiwo and O.S. Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The convicts are Ayodele Victor Ayodeji, Adebayo Kazeem Akanbi, Ajayi Charles Temitayo, Rokeeb Olamide Taiwo, Olaleye Adedolapo Emmanuel, Emiade Azeez Ayotunde, Azeez Ademola, Afolabi Mayowa Akinbobola, Shittu Waheed Adeleke, Franklyn Ibeh Kelechi, Olanrewaju Olaitan Quadri, Olawale Elijah Seyi Awofolaju, Samuel Olayemi Ademeso, Akindele Timothy Olatunde, Sholeye Gideon Olamilekan, Waheed Olamide Ahmod, Lawal Paul Jelili, Asaju Muhammad Numan and Badejo Adefemi Emmanuel.

Others are: Gomina Dennis Ozaveshe, Adio Hassan Taiwo, Adio Kehinde Hozaine, Adewunmi Adeboye Gabriel, John Oluwatimilehin Moses, Odeniyi Faruk Idowu, Owodunni Monsuru Abiodun, Sanwiyu Niyi Owonifari, Adeyinka Adewale Olujobi, Ogunbiyi Segun Joseph, Ayomide Oniyitan Oluwatosin, Badmus Faruk Kayode, Jimoh Sylvester Enahoro, Azeta Sunday Osaremeh, Lukuman Olatemo, Emmanuel Ebgiri Ogah and Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola.

The charge against Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola reads: “That you, Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola on or about October, 2018, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely represented yourself as a female from the United States of America with the name Lawrence Janet to one Ralph Wells via your Google Chat account, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, impersonation and aiding in committing an offence upon arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC between April 24 and May 29, 2024.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court as prosecution counsel:  Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen, Umar Abiso, Abiddeen Muhammad, Adamu Sahabi, Fatima Baba, David Olubode and Favour Adewunmi prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Joseph, Oluwatosin and Kayode to one year imprisonment each without an option of fine, Enahoro to ten months imprisonment, while Osaremeh bagged six months imprisonment and Olatemo to four months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Also, Justice Akpan convicted and sentenced Owonifari to one and a half years imprisonment and Abiodun to one year imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

Furthermore, Justice Olawoyin convicted and sentenced Ishola to one and a half years imprisonment or a fine of N1, 500, 000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and Olujobi bagged six months imprisonment or a fine of N400, 000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Hozaine, Gabriel, Idowu and Ogah to six months community service each without an option of fine, as Idowu forfeited a silver coloured Toyota Camry car with registration number: GBE – 334 – AE to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

More so, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Ozaveshe to four months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and Taiwo to five months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Adedolapo Emmanuel, Ayotunde, Ademola, Kelechi, Quadri and Moses to one year imprisonment each or fines of N50, 000. 00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), N20, 000. 00 (Twenty Thousand Naira), N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N120, 000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Also, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide Taiwo, Akinbobola and Adefemi Emmanuel to six months community service each or fines of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N60, 000 .00 (Sixty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Furthermore, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Ayodeji, Akanbi and Adeleke to three months community service each or a fine of N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) each, while Temitayo, Awofolaju, and Jelili bagged three months community service each or a fine of N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) each.

Also, Olamilekan, Ahmod and Numan were convicted and sentenced to three months community service each or a fine of N25, 000.00 (Twenty-five Thousand Naira) each, while Ademeso also bagged three months community service or a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and Olatunde to three months community service or a fine of N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira).

Ayotunde forfeited one black Lexus ES 350 car with registration number: GGE – 665 – GY, Quadri forfeited a brown ES 300 vehicle with registration number: MEK – 39 – LK while Moses forfeited a Toyota Camry car with registration number: BDG – 144 – GF.

Also, Adefemi Emmanuel forfeited one grey coloured Lexus RX 300 vehicle with registration number: LND – 940 – CD with Chassis number: JT6HF1042YO11941, Abiodun forfeited a brown Mercedes Benz with Chassis number: WDC0G4K9GF102450, while Ishola forfeited a grey colour Toyota Highlander with registration number: RSH – 857 – CV.

Furthermore, Enahoro forfeited an ash coloured  Toyota Camry with registration number: ABC – 658 – SE and Osaremeh forfeited one silver Honda Accord with registration number: KTU – 773 – DN among others to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the Commission for internet-related offences.  They were charged to court and convicted.

 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 35 for Alleged Internet in Plateau

The Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Command have arrested a total of 35 suspects for alleged cybercrimes in Plateau State. The suspects comprise 32 males and three females. 

 

They were rounded up along Bauchi Road Bye Pass in Jos, Plateau State capital. Their arrest followed actionable intelligence on their fraudulent activities. 

 

Items found in their possession upon arrest include 47 phones, five laptops, two macbooks, one black 406 Peugeot saloon car with registration number JJN 140 BX, one black Mercedes Benz car with registration number BSA 331 AG and one blue 2007 Model Toyota Camry without number plate. 

 

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

 

Source: EFCC 

NOT INSIDE ASO—ROCK: EFCC Arrests 40 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, May 31, 2024 arrested 40 suspected internet fraudsters at different axes of Abuja.

While 18 of them were arrested at Dawaki axis , the remaining 12 were arrested at other locations of Abuja.

Their arrest followed credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet activities.

Items seized from the suspects include 23 phones, 4 laptops and 4 vehicles.

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

 

Source: EFCC 

Court Jails Woman Six Months For Currency Racketeering In Lagos

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Adeyinka Bilikis  Gbadamosi  to six months imprisonment for currency racketeering.

Gbadamosi  was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on currency  Racketeering.

The count reads: “That you, Adeyinka Bilikis Gbadamosi, on the 27th of April, 2024 in  Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, engaged in hawking the total sum of N897,900 (Eight Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira) in N200 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 688101 and N500 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 315501 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007.”

She pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to her

Following her guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie called on Olagunju Abdul Malik, an operative of the EFCC, to  review the facts of the case .

Abdulmalik told the court that the defendant was arrested  on April 27, 2024 while hawking Naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following  credible intelligence received by the Commission.

According to him, the sum of N897,900 was recovered from her at the point of arrest.

"Upon her arrest by operatives, she was duly cautioned and she volunteered her statements.

“In her statement, she confessed she was into currency racketeering and hawking of Naira notes,” he said.

Okezie, thereafter, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s extrajudicial statements and the money recovered from her.

Justice Aneke  admitted and marked them as exhibits and convicted the defendant.

Counsel to the convict A.A. Olawipo, prayed the court for a non-custodial sentence or option of fine .

Justice Aneke  sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only.

The Judge also ordered that the N897,900 recovered from her be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

Source: EFCC 

Sextortion: FBI’s Witness Revealed How Defendant Demanded $200 From Late Victim

Ayotunde Solademi, a Foreign Service National Investigator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI and second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of Muideen Olamilekan Teslim, on Monday, May 27, 2024, told Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, how the defendant threatened to release the unclad pictures of his late victim, if he did not pay him the sum of $200( Two Hundred Dollars only).

Teslim is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on possession of child pornography and sextortion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Muideen Teslim Olamilekan (a.k.a joyamanda), on or about the 18th of April, 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, intentionally had in your possession child pornography of a minor in your account [email protected] and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.”

He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, Solademi, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, told the court that the FBI and the EFCC, sometime in July 2023, conducted a joint operation code-named Operation Artemis, which focused on financial sextortion cases.

Solademi, in his testimony, said the Child Exploitation Operational Unit of the FBI, sometime in April 2023, was called to a case involving a 15-year-old American male, who was befriended by a supposedly 16-year-old female named Joy Amanda.

He added that “They were both chatting on a social media platform called Wink. The email address used by Joy Amanda on Wink is [email protected].

“When they both met on Wink, Joy Amanda sent some nude pictures to the victim and requested the victim to also send his nude pictures. The victim, believing that the pictures he received were from the person he was chatting with, then sent nude pictures of himself to Joy Amanda. After Joy Amanda received the pictures, he made a picture collage, sent back to the victim and threatened that he would share the picture with all the victim’s contacts if the victim doesn’t send $200.

“Joy Amanda told the victim to send the money through CashApp, PayPal or Apple Gift card and gave a username for these accounts. The user name was [email protected].”

In his further testimony, Solademi informed the court that while law enforcement officers were speaking to the victim in his house, a call came in through the victim’s phone, threatening the victim.

According to him, “the caller ID showed Joy Amanda. The person speaking on the other side had a male voice. He was threatening that if he didn’t send the money, the picture would be released to the contacts.

“Thirty minutes after law enforcement agents left the victim’s house, a call was pulled through to the law enforcement by the victim’s parent that the victim shot himself in the head because of the incessant threat he received from the so-called Joy Amanda and he died.”

Narrating the steps taken by the law enforcement officers during investigations, the PW2 further told the court that “Legal processes were served by the FBI to Wink, Google and WhatsApp. Wink provided the email associated with Joy Amanda as [email protected]. FBI then proceeded to serve legal processes on Google with the email address of Joy Amanda and the username that was provided for payment that is [email protected].

“The response from Gmail showed that the recovery email for Joy Amanda is a Glo phone number ending with 9664, while that of Muideen Teslim is an Airtel phone number ending with 5098.

“Google revealed that the IP address of Joy Amanda was coming from Nigeria. Likewise, WhatsApp responded that the phone number ended with 9664, a glo number.

“All the evidence and pictures were packaged into a petition and was submitted as one of the cases under Operation Artemis. “

Buhari, thereafter, asked the PW2 if he could identify the request from the office of the Legal Attache in the US consulate to prosecute under Nigerian Law written to the EFCC, as well as other evidence against the defendant.

The prosecution counsel applied to tender the same and they were admitted as exhibits.

When PW2 was asked to confirm certain details on the exhibits, he said,

“In Exhibit 7, the glo number attached to [email protected] is 08071489664, while the Airtel number attached to [email protected] is 08127015068.

“In Exhibit 6, the wallet number on the Opay account opening package of Muideen Teslim is 8071489664 and the BVN number is 22377813795

“In Exhibit 3, on the google account personal info, the email address is [email protected] and the phone number attached is 08071389664.”

He also confirmed the picture collage that Joy Amanda sent to the victim.

When asked during cross-examination by the defence counsel, A.J. Adejuwon, for the victim’s name, the witness said: “The name of the victim was withheld to protect the family's privacy. The victim stayed in Magnolia, U.S A., before his death.”

The witness also clarified that the explicit photos were not shared with the EFCC to prevent further distribution.

Upon discharge of PW2, Adejuwon applied before the court to file a no-case submission.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to July 4, 2024 for ruling on no-case submission.

 

Source: EFCC 

How Benin Court Sends Three Oil Thieves to Jail

Justice I. M. Sani of the Federal High Court, Warri on Tuesday May 21, 2024 convicted and sentenced the trio of John Ofuafo Stanley, Ogba Joseph and Samson E. Ogbevire to various jail terms for illegally dealing in petroleum products.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to a two-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products alongside a vessel, TUG MV STEPH-1 upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the charge reads: That You JOHN OFUAFO STANLEY, OGBA JOSEPH and SAMSON .E. OGBEVIRE on or about the 6th July, 2023 at KFT Yard Edjeba, along NPA express way, Warri South Local Government of Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: dealt in petroleum product to wit; unspecified quantity of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which is not of a quality expected of the product and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition), 2004 and punishable under section 1 (18)(a)(i) of the same Act.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel,  Francis Jirbo 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 Sani convicted and sentenced Stanley,  Joseph and Ogbevire to two years imprisonment for each of the two counts or an option of N300,000 on each of the counts.

 The judge also convicted the 4th defendant,  (TUG MV STEPH 1) to a fine of  N4,000, 0000 ( Four Million Naira million Naira only) in lieu of its final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.

The convicts’road to prison began following their arrest by officers of the Nigeria Navy Ship Delta, NNS Delta for illegal dealing in Petroleum products.  They were handed over to the Commission on November 21  2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution. 

Source: EFCC

Alleged N1.2m US Visa Scam: American Businessman, Marco Ramirez Knows Fate Sept. 10

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, adjourned till September 10, 2024 judgment in the alleged $1.2million US visa scam involving an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ramirez alongside his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam.

The defendant allegedly obtained the money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them to be eligible for the issuance of USA Green Card.

The defendant, however, allegedly reneged on his promise.

He was initially arraigned on a 12-count charge, to which he pleaded "not guilty".

He was also re-arraigned by the EFCC on June 24, 2022 on an amended 16-count charge.

Count 13 of the amended charge reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 5th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $545,000 property of Godson Onyemaechi Echegile."

Count 14 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 12th July 2012 and 7th November 2012 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $314,800 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."

Count 15 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 19th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $230,000 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."

Also, at Monday’s sitting, the trial Judge adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment in separate amended nine-count charge bordering on an alleged $368,698.24 fraud brought against the defendant.

One of the counts reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, on or about the 26th day of July, 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under the false representation that the sum was his investment in your company: USA NOW Energy Capital Group LP in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which investment would qualify him to be eligible to a USA Green Card, and which representation you knew to be false."

Another count reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 at Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi, under the false representation that the said sum is to procure United States of America L1 VISA programme for him, which representation you knew to be false."

He also pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.

The proceedings had suffered several adjournments occasioned by the absence of the defence counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, and the inability of the defence to file its own final written addresses, even after the prosecution counsel, M.S. Owede and S.O. Daji, had filed theirs for the separate charges, respectively.

However, the adoption of the final written addresses eventually held on May 8, 2024.

Following the adoption, Justice Dada today adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment.

 

Source: EFCC