Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a 27-year-old man, Rabiu Aliyu Salisu alias Rabo, who hails from Kogi State for his alleged involvement in identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering to the tune of $597,000.
Parading the suspect in Abuja on Thursday, the police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect fraudulently assumed the identity of an American citizen, presenting himself as Matthew Ramsey, with the intent to deceive and exploit unsuspecting victims, primarily vulnerable women in online romance scams.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi told journalists that the suspect confessed to defrauding the woman, Deborah Woods, an American citizen of $597,000.
While speaking to journalists, the suspect said he got a share of $200,000 from the deal, which he used to buy a three bedroom terrace valued at N65million.
The police also said a search of his premises led to the confiscation of multiple electronic gadgets which have passed through forensic analysis used in perpetrating these illicit activities, along with eight BMW vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Also, the police arrested key members of an organised crime syndicate involved in a $4 million fraud targeting international oil trading firms.
The Force PRO said the syndicate, allegedly led by Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Eagle Capital Management, and Richrice International Corporation, operates across Nigeria, China, and the United States, specialising in high-level fraud schemes within the global oil and gas industry.
“On January 4, 2024, detectives arrested one (Dr.) David Emmanuel Udensik, also known as Dr. Jacob Bello, a Nigerian national from Akwa Ibom State. Udensik is accused of generating fraudulent intelligence reports, forging documents from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and misusing these documents to scam oil traders, resulting in fraudulent proceeds of $610,000.
“Following a year-long investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC arrested Engr. Isaac Jerome Oyakhilome, the managing director/CEO of Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited and a director at Richrice International Corporation.
“Oyakhilome was responsible for preparing and signing fraudulent sales agreements for crude oil with NNPCL, facilitating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that netted $1,151,495 for his company, which has no known physical address.
“In the course of these arrests, officials recovered several exhibits, including ₦55,000,000 (approximately $33,428.57), assets valued at ₦370,000,000, multiple electronic devices, and a Toyota Camry vehicle, as the suspects have reportedly confessed to their roles in the criminal operation,” Adejobi said.
In summary, police said a total of 32 suspects have been arrested in January 2025 through the NPF-NCCC, while 52 arrests have been secured by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, totalling 84 arrested suspects.
He attributed the feats to the action plan and the zeal of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to redeem the reputation of Nigeria and taking the country out of the FATF Grey List.
