The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu on Monday disclosed that the Commission has arrested a female suspected cyber fraudster who was recently declared wanted by the Federal Bureau of investigation, FBI, in Benin City, Edo State, Igbere TV reports.
He stated that the identity of the lady was withheld for now because investigations were still ongoing.
Magu stated this in Benin City while addressing the media on the Commission’s efforts to rid the society of economic and financial crimes and its collaboration with the Federal Bureau of investigation, FBI.
He revealed that the arrested female fraudster worked in collaboration with foreign counterparts in ‘darkweb’.
“She is involved in obtaining and stealing people’s identification information which she forwards to her American collaborator.
Her collaborator uses it to file for fraudulent tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. She received her cut through Bitcoin. About 185 Bitcoin were traced to her, which by current market value, is N656,371,490″.
The acting Chairman who was represented by the Zonal Head, Muhtar Bello said the Commission between January and August 2019 arrested 113 internet fraudsters in Edo, Delta and Ondo and secured the conviction of 53 in court. “Over 30 exotic cars were confiscated from the suspects. Other items recovered from them are laptops computers, mobile phones, flash drives, internet modem and charms”.
He also revealed that the Commission independently arrested a cyber criminal and two siblings who are involved in Business Email Compromise, BEC.
“Their modus operandi was searching for victims email addresses especially Official Business Email addresses, create a phishing link and compromising the process in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.”
Using graphic illustrations, he educated journalists on how funds move from “hackers, farmers, and the pickers”. He said the education became necessary because the Commission will soon begin clampdown on those who appear to have legitimate businesses such as hotels, real estate, casino, oil and gas but were international fraudsters.
Magu said the Commission was resolute in exterminating cybercrimes and appealed to the media and all patriotic Nigerians to join hands with the Commission to eradicate the malaise.
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