EFCC hands over $22,000 recovered from internet fraudster to FBI

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the sum of $22,000 recovered from a convicted internet fraudster, Hakeem Ayotunde Olanrewaju, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Lagos State.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in the Ikoyi area of Lagos had, on August 15, 2023, ordered that the money recovered from Olanrewaju, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment for identity theft and impersonation, be restituted to his victim in the United States.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos on Friday, May 17, 2024, the Acting Director of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Wetkas, reaffirmed the anti-graft agency’s dedication to combating crimes and restoring sanity to Nigeria.

Wetkas said: “We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime today (Friday).

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“The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more.”

Responding, the FBI Legal Attache, Charles Smith, said: “The EFCC and FBI work collaboratively together and it is thanks to the EFCC that we can recover funds of this nature, especially from Business Email Compromise (BEC).

“This type of crime cripples businesses in the U.S. and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified.

“We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If there’s anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so.

“We appreciate this on behalf of the FBI and thank the EFCC.”

The Star