By Hassan Zaggi
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, have arrested 3 suspects for cyber-related offences including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.
The suspects, according to a statement by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, include Samson Inegbenesun 30 years, Blessed Junior 32 years and Muhammed Zakari 36 years.
All male from Uromi in Edo State,
The suspects were arrested in Uromi, following investigations into suspected fraudulent online procurement and supply of COVID-19 protective mask, received through the INTERPOL NCB Wiesbaden, Germany.
Investigations, according to the statement, revealed that Samson Inegbenosun is an internet fraudster and a member of a Turkey-based online scamming syndicate.
“He supplies foreign and local bank accounts to receive fraudulent funds and use same as conduit to other feeder accounts.
“The Police have recovered from him, a building apartment worth N20,000,000.00, a Toyota RAV-4 2015 model worth N6,500,000.00 and a Toyota Matrix 2002 model valued at N2,000,000.00 which he procured with the proceeds of the crime.
“The second suspect, Blessed Junior, returned to Nigeria from Italy in February, 2020 but maintains close contacts and illicit dealings with his Italian associates.
“Investigations reveal that he has made over N120,000,000.00 from internet fraud and other cybercrime dealings.”
The statement also noted that the suspect also received 52,000 EUROs recently from his criminal associates in Italy as commission for his active involvement in an international cybercrime deal.
He also owns a filling station established with the proceeds of the crime.
Mohammed Zakari, an expert in internet fraud, identity theft and impersonation, falsely claims to be a British citizen.
He also poses to be one Kelly Galk on online dating apps which he uses to carry out romance scams and to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, locally and internationally.
Investigation reveals he has made millions of naira from his illicit cybercrime transactions since he joined the syndicate.
