The Lagos State Police have arrested two individuals, Elvis Osakpolo Edokpain and Kelly Osas Endgieen, who are suspected of being part of an international fraud ring specializing in forging certificates from various international and African universities.
The suspects allegedly used these forged certificates to deceive victims online, leading to significant financial gains. With the proceeds from their fraudulent activities, they acquired luxury cars and built mansions across Nigeria.
The breakthrough in the investigation came after the Anti-Corruption Unit of the police received credible information from international sources about a group involved in forging foreign academic certificates. Acting on this intelligence, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoude, ordered immediate action. Police detectives traced the suspects to Murtala Muhammed International Airport and followed them to a five-star hotel in Lekki, where they were arrested while attempting to flee.
During a search of their luggage, several items were recovered, including a certificate from Blue Crest College in Ghana belonging to Edokpain, as well as a student ID card from Academic City College found with Endgieen. Further investigation revealed additional documents, such as an academic transcript and a letter of recommendation, also from Blue Crest College.
Upon interrogation, both suspects confessed to never being enrolled at the institutions but had obtained the fraudulent certificates through the help of a female Nigerian living in Ghana.
