MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Frank Oshanugor
An international collaboration by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) and the South Australian Police (SAPOL) has led to the successful apprehension of 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.
The operatives have also recovered the sum of sixty thousand Australian Dollars (60.000.00 AUD) from the suspect. This is coming on the heels of actionable intelligence made available by the South Australian Police Department (SAPOL).
Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Monday said the suspect, in a written statement during Police interview, freely admitted to having committed the fraud and several others dating back to 2021. In unmasking his modus operandi, investigation has 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 were usually vulnerable men and women in desperate search for emotional comfort and fame.
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 has 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, according to the police spokesman.
Meanwhile, the police authorities have advised that all complaints or information bordering on cybercime 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.
