Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested one Olawole Sunday, a suspected internet fraudster, for allegedly purchasing bank account details from individuals to perpetrate financial scams.
In a statement released on Monday, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said Sunday’s criminal operation involved recruiting young people to open multiple bank accounts, which he then used for fraudulent activities.
According to the EFCC, Sunday paid his recruits between N25,000 and N50,000 for each account in exchange for their complete banking information, including ATM cards. The operation took a serious turn when Sunday reportedly used the account of one Uyi Eghosa to defraud an unsuspecting victim of N2 million under the guise of a forex trading deal.
Eghosa was initially arrested after the fraud was traced to his account. During interrogation, he claimed ignorance of the scam, telling investigators he had sold his account and ATM card to Sunday for N25,000.
“Sunday’s modus operandi involved encouraging young people to open multiple bank accounts, pay them either N25,000 or N50,000 for each account and collect their bank details,” Oyewale explained. “He 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.”
Sunday was subsequently arrested by operatives from the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to tracking and prosecuting internet fraudsters, warning members of the public against selling or giving away their bank details to anyone for any reason.
