The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, on Saturday, August 22, arrested three persons over N7 million internet fraud involving a Nigerian resident in Italy.
The suspects, identified as 21-year-old Peter Odion, 20-year-old Anthony Ernest, and 20-year-old Destiny Saturday, were arrested in Ebele, Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, by operatives of the command’s Tactical and Tracking Team.
The NSCDC said the suspects lured the victim through Facebook using a female photograph to establish contact with him.
According to the command, the victim was later introduced to Saturday, who posed as a powerful native doctor capable of using spiritual means to make him wealthy.
The victim, having been convinced by the claims, made several payments to the suspects for the purported spiritual intervention before realizing that he had been defrauded.
The Edo State NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, said the incident was reported to the command through a petition submitted by Barrister Oni Isibor, who acted on behalf of the victim.
Ayinla subsequently ordered an investigation into the allegation, following which operatives of the command’s Tactical and Tracking Team deployed intelligence-led methods and advanced tracking technology to trace the suspects.
The suspects were eventually traced to Ebele, where they were arrested, according to the NSCDC.
The command said the three suspects subsequently confessed to the offence during questioning.
The NSCDC said the investigation had been concluded and the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of the necessary procedures.
Comments