Operatives of the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja have arrested three suspects: Samson Inegbenesun, Blessed Junior, Muhammed Zakari, all male from Uromi in Edo State for cyber-related offences including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.
Force PRO, DCP Frank Mba while briefing newsmen on the activities of the suspects, explained that they 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.
According to him, investigations revealed that 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 recovered from him, a building apartment worth N20m Toyota RAV-4 2015 model worth N6.5m and a Toyota Matrix 2002 model valued at N2m which he procured with the proceeds of the crime.”
“The second suspect, Junior, returned to Nigeria from Italy in February, 2020 but maintains close contacts and illicit dealings with his Italian associates”.
The FPRO also said that investigations revealed that he made over N120million from internet fraud and other cybercrime dealings.
“He also received the sum of 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.”
On Zakari, the police said he’s an expert in internet fraud, identity theft, impersonation and falsely claimed to be a British citizen.
“He also poses as one Kelly Galk on online dating apps which he uses to carry out romance scams and 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”.