Cybercrime: Police Rescue U.S. Citizen Confined In Lagos Hotel For 16 Months

Police operatives have rescued an American citizen who was confined in a hotel in Lagos State for more than one year.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, the Nigeria Police said the victim who hails from Washington DC and is a retired civil servant in the US, was held at the hotel against her wish.

She was said to have arrived in Nigeria on February 13, 2019, on a visit to one Chukwuebuka Obiaku, a 34-year-old native of Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, whom she met on Facebook.

The police, however, said the American was rescued by operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Ogun State Annex following information received from a patriotic Nigerian in the Meran area of Lagos State.

“The rescue of the American lady is coming on the heels of a similar case of abducted Philippino lady who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.

“Investigations reveal that the suspect, Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku is a graduate of Business Administration and Management and an internet fraudster who has defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public both locally and internationally,” the Force said.

According to the police, Chukwuebuka deliberately lured the victim into the country under the pretext of love and deceitfully married her on May 15, 2019.

He was said to have subsequently held her captive in the hotel and extorted from her monies amounting to a total of $48,000.

The suspect allegedly collected and took control of the victim’s credit and debit cards forcefully, as well as the operation of her bank accounts, including the receipt of her monthly retirement benefits and allowances over a period of 15 months.

He reportedly used the victim as a front to defraud her associates and other foreign personalities and companies.

Meanwhile, the police disclosed that operatives of the Cybercrime Unit at the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja have arrested three suspects for offences related to advance fee fraud, money laundering, and romance scam.

The suspects – Samson Inegbenesun, Blessed Junior, and Muhammed Zakari, all males from Uromi in Edo State, were arrested in Uromi following investigations into suspected fraudulent online procurement and supply of COVID-19 protective mask, received through the INTERPOL NCB in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The police said all the suspects would be charged to court after investigations were concluded and prosecuted in line with the Cybercrime Prevention/Prohibition Act, 2015.

Read the tweets below:

Samson Inegbenesun 30years, Blessed Junior 32years and Muhammed Zakari 36years, all male from Uromi in Edo State, for cyber-related offences including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

Investigations reveal that Samson Inegbenosun is an internet fraudster and a member of a Turkey-based online scamming syndicate. He supplies foreign and local bank accounts to receive fraudulent funds and use same as conduit to other feeder accounts.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

The second suspect, Blessed Junior, returned to Nigeria from Italy in February, 2020 but maintains close contacts and illicit dealings with his Italian associates.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

He also received the sum of 52,000 EUROs recently from his criminal associates in Italy as commission for his active involvement in an international cybercrime deal. He also owns a filling station established with the proceeds of the crime.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

locally and internationally. Investigation reveals he has made millions of naira from his illicit cybercrime transactions since he joined the syndicate.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

The victim who hails from Washington DC, USA and is a retired civil servant in the US, arrived Nigeria on 13th February, 2019 on a visit to one Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku, 34years old, a native of Ikeduru LGA of Imo State whom she met on Facebook.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

The rescue of the American lady is coming on the heels of a similar case of abducted Philippino lady who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

Chukwuebuka deliberately lured the victim into the country under the pretext of love and deceitfully married her on 15th May, 2019. He subsequently held her captive in a hotel, extorted from her monies amounting to a total of 48,000-USD.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020

Chukwuebuka also used the victim as a front to defraud her associates and other foreign personalities and companies.

All the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigation and prosecuted in line with the Cybercrime Prevention/Prohibition Act, 2015.

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 12, 2020