EFCC nabs suspected fraudster for duping 139 Australians of $8 million
Operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Otukpa, over an alleged duping of 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Osang Otukpa allegedly operated under multiple aliases—specifically Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson. He is said to have lured victims through social media platforms by promoting a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme known as Liquid Asset Group (LAG). The scheme was designed to attract investments from individuals looking for opportunities in cryptocurrency, which is often perceived as a lucrative market.
Victims were convinced to invest their money into this rogue platform. The EFCC’s investigation indicates that the funds obtained from these fraudulent activities were funneled into Otukpa’s bank accounts via a global cryptocurrency exchange platform. This method of operation highlights the increasing sophistication of online fraud schemes that exploit emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies.
According to Oyewale, the suspect was picked up in a stakeout at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States of America on Dec. 6.
“Otukpa goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson.
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“He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG).
“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform,” he said.
Following his arrest, Osang Otukpa is expected to face charges in court once the investigations are concluded. The EFCC has stated that they will pursue legal action against him for his alleged crimes. The case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat online fraud and protect potential victims from such scams.
Accordingly, Oyewale said that the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with investing in unverified online platforms and emphasizes the importance of due diligence when considering financial investments, particularly in volatile markets like cryptocurrency.
