….. as IGP Lauds recurrent Successes of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime via International Collaboration
The Nigeria Police has warned Nigerians to be careful of fake identities and online dating popularly known as “Romance Scams” as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) have successfully apprehended one Ogenevowero Emefeke, a 37-year-old resident of Guida Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for pulling-off an elaborate fraudulent scheme on an Australian National and recovered the sum of sixty thousand Australian Dollars (60.000.00 AUD) from the suspect.
Parading the suspect before newsmen at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the suspect in a written statement during a Police interview, freely admitted to having committed the fraud and several others dating back to 2021.
“In unmasking his modus operandi, investigation reveals that the suspect and his cohorts usually adopt pseudo identities of renown International celebrities, carefully select their victims through different social media platforms, lure them 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 a desperate search for emotional comfort and fame, Adejobi said.
He reiterated that this is coming on the heels of actionable intelligence made available by the South Australian Police Department (SAPOL).
The Force PRO further said that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba while applauding the new wave of anti-cybercrime achievements recorded by NPF-NCCC under the constructive leadership of the Director National Cybercrime Center, DCP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, via collaborations with international anti-cybercrime agencies, charged the Center to sustain the drive.
“In the same vein, the IGP urges members of the Public to exercise restraint in engaging in Businesses and Relationships with individuals whose real identities have not been physically verified. While the processes to repatriate the recovered fund to the victim through the Australian Consulate are being perfected, the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, Adejobi said.
The Director National Cybercrime Center, DCP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, said the Center has recorded some success such as the recovery of $2.3 million for a Korean woman among other successes recorded so far.
He called on Nigerians with complaints or information bordering on cybercrime to reach 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.
