Rivers Police Arrest Two Suspects For Defrauding Canadian Woman Of ₦110million

Date: 01-01-2025 2:00 pm (1 month ago) | Author: Mister Jay Wonder
- at 1-01-2025 02:00 PM (1 month ago)
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Two men, Michael Onyedikachi and Akachukwu Benedict, have been arrested by operatives from the Rivers State Police Command's C4i Intelligence Unit for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian woman based in Canada of N110 million.

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the police, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. According to the statement, the victim, Sandra Austin, a resident of Ontario, Canada, was deceived into transferring the large sum over a two-year period by the suspects.

The scam began in February 2022 when Sandra received a friend request on Facebook from an account named “Engineer Desmond Chibuike Okechukwu.” Initially reluctant to accept, Sandra eventually engaged with the account, which later posed as an engineer offering property development services in Nigeria.

The scam escalated when the suspect convinced Sandra to move their conversations to WhatsApp, where he showcased images of luxury homes he claimed to have built in upscale areas like Ajah, Lagos. After expressing interest in one property, Sandra was led to believe that it would cost N150 million. Trusting the scammer, she transferred N110 million to a designated bank account between 2022 and 2024.

After making a final payment of N30 million, Sandra was suddenly blocked from all communication, which led to severe health complications, including a spike in her blood pressure, requiring hospitalization.

In response, Sandra reached out to her family in Nigeria, prompting them to report the incident to the police. Following a petition to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the case was referred to the C4i Intelligence Unit for investigation.

The police confirmed that the suspects tried to intimidate Sandra to prevent her from involving the authorities. However, through intelligence-led policing, the C4i Intelligence Unit successfully apprehended the two suspects.

Michael Onyedikachi, 29, from Nkanu West LGA in Enugu State, was arrested on August 14, 2024, at his residence in Ama-Okponike, Enugu. Michael admitted to creating the fake "Engineer Desmond" account and using photos of luxury homes to deceive Sandra. He also revealed that he spent eight months in Accra, Ghana, learning online fraud techniques. During his arrest, a shrine linked to his fraudulent activities was discovered at his home.

Following Michael's arrest, his accomplice, Akachukwu Benedict, 29, from Ngo-Okpala LGA in Imo State, was apprehended on August 16, 2024, in a hotel suite in Enugu, where he had been staying for a year. Akachukwu confessed to introducing Michael to online fraud and revealed his involvement in swindling an American woman out of $600 in 2021.

The suspects also disclosed that they used cloned SIM cards and cryptocurrency wallets to avoid detection. Recovered items from the suspects included a Toyota Corolla, land documents, laptops, and mobile phones.

The police have stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other accomplices, and the suspects will be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.

“The prompt action by the C4i Intelligence Unit highlights their dedication to tackling cybercrime and ensuring justice for the victims,” the police statement concluded.


Posted: at 1-01-2025 02:00 PM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero
- gogoman at 1-01-2025 02:07 PM (1 month ago)
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 Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
Posted: at 1-01-2025 02:07 PM (1 month ago) | Grande Master
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- Dopybadass at 1-01-2025 02:48 PM (1 month ago)
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110 million naira and they still catch you, ok na  Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
Posted: at 1-01-2025 02:48 PM (1 month ago) | Hero
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