Crimes

Police arrest man for defrauding Australian national, recover $60,000

The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a 37-year-old man, Egenevowero Emefeke, for allegedly pulling off a fraudulent scheme to defraud an Australian national.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known via a statement issued on Monday, May 22, said the sum of 60,000 Australian dollars was recovered from the suspect who resides in Guida area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Adejobi said Emefeke was arrested following actionable intelligence made available by the South Australian Police Department.

He noted that the suspect, in a written statement during police interview, admitted to having committed the fraud and several others dating back to 2021.

The police spokesman stated: “In unmasking his modus operandi, investigation reveals that the suspect and his cohorts usually adopt pseudo identities of renowned international celebrities, carefully select their victims through different social media platforms.

READ ALSO: Again, gunmen kill 2 policemen in Imo

“They lure the victims into an attack popularly known as ‘Romance Scam’, and after gaining their trust, subsequently play on their emotion to swindle them of their resources.

“Investigation further revealed that the victims are usually vulnerable men and women in desperate search for emotional comfort and fame.”

Adejobi quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, as commending the recent successes in tackling new wave of anti-cybercrimes recorded by NPF-NCCC in collaboration with international anti-cybercrime agencies.

The IGP urged the NPF-NCCC to sustain the drive and called on the public to exercise restraint in engaging in businesses and relationships with individuals whose real identities had not been physically verified.

“While the processes to repatriate the recovered fund to the victim through the Australian Consulate is being perfected, the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he added.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Offa robbery: Saraki accuses Kwara govt of political persecution

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has accused the Kwara State Government of abusing prosecutorial powers…

1 hour ago

NAF shakes up leadership, redeploys senior officers to key commands

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed scores of senior officers to key operational commands,…

2 hours ago

LG funds: Offices shut as workers begin strike in Osun

Government offices in Osun State were on Monday shut as workers embark on a three-day…

2 hours ago

NFF officials stopped me from greeting Flamingos, feared losing jobs — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of…

2 hours ago

My first quarter in JAMB, By Segun Aina

By Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) In the first quarter…

4 hours ago

‘You have lifted the spirit of a nation,’ Akpabio hails Flamingos

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has congratulated Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following…

4 hours ago

This website uses cookies.