37-Year-old Man Who Scammed An Australian Woman of $60,000 Arrested
37-year-old Ogenevowero Emefeke, a resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has allegedly been playing on the emotions of vulnerable men and women in a desperate search for love to swindle them of their resources in what is best described as a romance scam since 2021.
In a fraudulent scheme that would lead to his Waterloo, he scammed an Australian National of 60,000 Australian dollars, approximately N18,371,000.
The Nigeria Police Force- National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) collaborated with the South Australian Police in an investigation to ensure that the suspect is arrested and brought to justice.
“He fully admitted to have committed the fraud and several others dating back to 2021.In unmasking his modus operandi, the investigation revealed that the suspect and his cohort usually adopt pseudo identities of known international celebrities, carefully select their victims through various social media platforms, lure them into an attack popularly known as romance scam,” the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said.
Explaining how he was able to defraud the victim of a huge sum of money, the suspect said: “I met her online. I told her that I had an accident, which was not true and I told her to assist me financially. I was trying to meet daily needs.”
The Director of the Force Cybercrime Unit, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Henry Uche Ifeanyi, stated: “One thing that is clear, making reference to what the suspect said, is for us to be very careful when we go online to search for love or romance. Most of the male folks that patronize the sites are cybercriminals. When it gets to demanding money or help, you should be very careful.”
The process to restitute the recovered $60,000 to the victim through the Australian Consulate is being perfected, and he would be charged to Court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Police have admonished members of the public to exercise restraint in engaging in businesses or friendships with individuals whose real identities have not been verified physically.
All complaints or information bordering on cybercrime can be sent to the NPF NCCC through its e-reporting portal – https://incb.npf.gov.ng/ or @NPF_NCCC across all social media platforms, and via mobile on 09168343711.
READ OTHER STORIES:
Police Arrest Woman Who Deals In Illegal Sale Of AK47 Ammunitions
Two Killed As Police Clash With Suspected Kidnappers In Rivers
Police Rescue Five Kidnapped Students In Zamfara
Police Arrest Two In Connection With Attack On US Consulate Convoy
