The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Olawole Sunday, for using other people’s bank accounts to scam innocent Nigerians.
The EFCC revealed on Monday that Sunday was caught after he used someone else’s account to steal N2 million by pretending to be involved in foreign exchange (forex) trading.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Sunday had been paying young people to open bank accounts and hand over their full banking details, including their ATM cards. He paid between N25,000 and N50,000 for each account.
Oyewale explained, “Sunday’s method involved encouraging young people to open multiple bank accounts. He paid them either N25,000 or N50,000 and collected their bank details and ATM cards.”
Trouble began when Sunday used the account of one Uyi Eghosa to collect N2 million from a victim who believed they were investing in forex trading. When the scam was discovered, EFCC operatives arrested Eghosa.
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During questioning, Eghosa said he had no idea his account was used for fraud. He told the EFCC that Sunday gave him N25,000 in exchange for his bank account and ATM card.
Oyewale said Eghosa’s statement helped the EFCC track and arrest Sunday.
Oyewale stated, “Sunday allegedly employed the account details of one Uyi Eghosa to defraud a petitioner of the sum of N2 million under the guise of trading in forex. The account owner, Eghosa, was arrested, and his disclosure that he was unaware that his account was used in defrauding members of the public led to Sunday’s arrest.”
After his arrest, Sunday admitted to the crime during interrogation. The EFCC has confirmed that he will face charges in court once investigations are finished.
The anti-corruption agency is using this case to warn the public against giving their bank account information to strangers or using their accounts for suspicious transactions. The EFCC also advised young Nigerians to avoid getting involved in internet fraud and to seek honest means of livelihood.