*Exotic Items Recovered
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspected notorious fraudster (known locally as Yahoo boy) in circumstances linked to obtaining money by false pretence and other related fraudulent activities in Enugu metropolis.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Enugu, the State Commandant, NSCDC, Dr. Elijah Willie, disclosed that the suspect, identified as Raheem Abiodun, a male from Kwara state, had been under surveillance by operatives of the state Command.
Dr. Willie said that the surveillance followed several reports linking him to fraudulent financial transactions.
The Commandant explained that one of the suspect’s recent alleged fraudulent activities occurred on 6 July, when the suspect allegedly deceived a victim during a foreign exchange transaction involving $US5,000.
According to him, the suspect was expected to transfer the Naira equivalent of the foreign currency to the victim, but instead transmitted a fake payment alert, thereby obtained the money through false pretence.
Dr. Willie noted that acting on credible intelligence, NSCDC operatives arrested the suspect on 28 July at the Enugu State Ministry of Finance, without incident.
“The NSCDC operatives also recovered: four ATM cards from different banks, deposit slips bearing the name Abiodun, two complimentary cards bearing the name Engineer Abiodun, one ID card holder, designer bag, polythene bag and one iPhone 17 Pro-Max.
“One Samsung mobile phone, one internet pocket Wi-Fi device, one designer wristwatch, one file containing vehicle particulars, one gold bangle, one pair of designer trainers, one Nokia mobile phone and banking security tokens belonging to two banks,” he said.
Following NSCDC’s preliminary investigation and press briefing, the Commandant handed over the suspect, along with all recovered items, to the Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The state NSCDC boss said that the handing over was in line with the EFCC’s statutory mandate over economic and financial crimes.
The Commandant reaffirmed NSCDC’s commitment to collaborating with sister security and law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes and safeguard the economic interests of citizens.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution in financial transactions, particularly foreign exchange dealings, and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.
Willie also assured residents of the Command’s continued deployment of intelligence-driven operations to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
*PHOTO CAPTION: The suspect (m), Commandant Willie (r) and one other during parade of the suspect.
