28-Year-old Internet Fraudster surrenders to EFCC in Benin
The self-confessed fraudster, who wished to remain anonymous, walked into the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC and presented himself to the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACEI Effam Okim.
In a surprising move, the young man expressed his desire to put an end to his illicit activities and turn a new leaf.
According to the EFCC, the fraudster had been involved in romance scam variants of internet fraud, targeting foreigners and deceiving them into fake love relationships.
He would pose as a medical doctor working in a war-torn country, using a mobile app translator to communicate with his victims in Chinese.
“I tell my victims that I am from China and that I work as a medical doctor in a war-torn country,” the fraudster confessed. “My victims are foreigners who I deceive into love relationships. I communicate with them in Chinese using a mobile app translator. I profess love for them by telling them how beautiful and attractive they are.”
The fraudster’s modus operandi involved using social media platforms to lure his victims into fake relationships, after which he would request financial assistance from them, claiming to be in dire need of funds to facilitate his travel to meet them.
However, the fraudster claimed that he had grown tired of the fraudulent lifestyle and was afraid of being caught by the EFCC.
“I reported myself because I wanted to stop and turn a new leaf,” he said. “I don’t want to continue with this fraudulent practice for fear of being apprehended by Operatives of the Commission.”
The EFCC has commended the fraudster’s decision to surrender himself, saying that it is a testament to the Commission’s efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes.
“This is a significant development, and we commend the young man for taking the bold step to surrender himself,” said ACEI Effam Okim. “We will ensure that he is given the necessary support and counseling to help him reintegrate into society and start a new life.”
The EFCC has also used this opportunity to warn other internet fraudsters to desist from their illicit activities, stating that the Commission is committed to tracking down and bringing to justice those who engage in economic and financial crimes.
