A Lagos-based businessman, Austine Ugochukwu Albert has lost the sum of N360m to fraudsters in Lagos when he wanted to purchase foreign currency at the bureau de change.
Briefing newsmen on the incident in Abuja yesterday, Albert alleged that the crime was masterminded by three suspects, namely Hon. Tony Bakare, Saidi Oke, Bashir Mohammed, Alhaji Umar Ali and Dr. Cyriacus Anyanwu.
He said that he had approached one Kunle Adesuyi and Mrs. Chinwe Ofolue (regional head, Heritage Bank Marina, branch, Lagos) for the purchase of foreign currency, totaling about $1,000,000 (One million USD) and was further introduced to Dr Cyriacus Anyanwu.
The businessman was later invited to the office of one Alhaji Umar Ali at No. 5B Audu Epkekha Street, Lekki, in Lagos State on the 14th of June 2017, where it was agreed that he will purchase the dollars at the rate of N360.00 (Three hundred and sixty naira) per dollar.
It also agreed that he should pay the total sum of N360, 000,000.00 (Three hundred and sixty million naira) into the understated accounts in the following order.
“That the sum of N350, 000,000.00 (Three hundred and fifty million naira) into the FCMB corporate account, Grantland Investment Limited, with account number 0785971017 which supposedly has Bashir Mohammed and Alhaji Umar Ali as signatories.
The sum of N6,500,000.00 (Six million, five hundred thousand naira) to NAD Foundation account, with number 1020188396 domiciled with United Bank for Africa (UBA), which has Dr. Cyriacus Anyanwu as the signatory.
And Tri Chris Pet Services Limited account, with number 101411797 Zenith Bank belonging to Cyriacus Anyanwu to receive N2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred thousand naira), while cash of N1,000,000.00 (One million naira) will be given to Bashir Mohammed. The above sums will come to a total of N360, 000,000.00 (Three hundred and sixty million naira).
It was equally agreed that Albert will receive the dollar equivalent of the said sum which is $1,000,000 (One million) USD.”
He told newsmen that after the money was paid as agreed and the group, led by Bakare disappeared with the money and was only able to pay the sum of $130,000 (One Hundred and Thirty Thousand) USD after so much pressure.
“I first reported the matter at Area J command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ajah, Lagos State where the suspects made confessional statements that the entire transaction was a fraud, but at this point they all refused to give up their kingpin; Honourable Tony Bakare (aka General).
The matter was later transferred to Zone 2 command of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos on the orders of the Assistant Inspector General of Police who equally ordered that all accounts already frozen by the Police pursuant to their investigation activities be unfrozen.
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