NPF Cybercrime Unit, South Australia Police Arrest Serial Nigerian Fraudster, Recover AUD60,000
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) have arrested one Ogenevowero Emefeke for pulling off an elaborate fraudulent scheme on an Australian national.
Emefeke’s arrest is coming on the heels of actionable intelligence made available by the South Australian Police Department (SAPOL) to the NPF-NCCC.
The 37-year-old suspect, in a written statement during Police interview, freely admitted to having committed the fraud and several others dating back to 2021.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday, Emefeke who is a resident of Guida area, Abuja, was apprehended in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Police spokesperson further disclosed that a total of 60,000 Australian Dollars was recovered from him.
The statement read in part: “Investigation revealed 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 desperate search for emotional comfort and fame”.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba applauded the achievements recorded by NPF-NCCC under the leadership of its Director, DCP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, via collaborations with international anti-cybercrime agencies, and charged the Center to sustain the drive.
He urged 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 is being perfected, the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations”, the statement added.
