David Animashaun, 38 arrested in DFW, charged with wire fraud conspiracy, Oluwalobamise Michael Moses, 40 arrested in DFW, charged with wire fraud conspiracy, Irabor Fatarr Musa, 51 arrested in the Eastern District of Texas, charged by the Northern District of Texas wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Ijeoma Okoro, 31 arrested in DFW, wire fraud conspiracy fraud, money laundering conspiracy, Chukwemeka Orji, 36 arrested in DFW, charged with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Emanuel Stanley Orji, 35 arrested in DFW, charged with wire fraud conspiracy, Frederick Orji, 37 arrested in Dallas, charged with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Uwadiale Esezobor, 36 arrested in Lubbock, charged with mail & wire fraud conspiracy, Victor Idowu, 36 arrested in Los Angeles, charged with mail & wire fraud conspiracy, Afeez Abiola Alao, 37 wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Ambrose Sunday Ohide, 47 wire fraud conspiracy. There were some side-effects though, as NIBSS reports that fraudulent activities increased during this period. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. The international policing agency said the suspects appeared to have targeted as many as 50,000 different individuals and companies via so-called business email compromise. The charge was, however, dropped in a plea The way they dressed you could tell they were wealthy.". The Nigerian scam has been around for a long time. The FBI has arrested 33 individuals across Texas for a series of cybercrime-related activities, including BEC and romance scams. It is believed the FBI and US Secret Service led the investigation and worked with South African authorities, including the elite police unit, the Hawks. Few were surprised when they learned that Hushpuppi had pleaded guilty in April. 31st March 2022. Mobile devices recorded the highest growth . The Federal Bureau of Investigation has nabbed Nigerian medical doctor, Patrick Nwaokwu, for his alleged involvement in multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); French Football Association head Noel le Graet has resigned following a devastating study into the institution and charges of sexual harassment. For the nine-month period, fraud attempts increased by 186% from 16,128 in 2019 to 46,126 as mentioned earlier. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 35 Nigerians in North Texas, in fraud worth $117 Million. David Animashaun, 38 arrested in DFW, charged with wire fraud conspiracy. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 35 Nigerians in North Texas, in fraud worth $117 Million. Police have so far arrested 14 suspects across the US, 11 in Los Angeles alone. Design/methodology/approach - The paper adopts the . Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Watch: Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Candlelight: A Tribute To Beyonc The trial of former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris on alleged N109 billion corruption charges was on Wednesday stalled at the High . You are obliged to ensure my childrens safety! Vice President Philippe Diallo will serve as interim president until a permanent successor is named in June. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Looking to chat? ( source: Nilson Report) Acting U.S. Attorney, Prerak Shah, stated at a press conference while announcing the charges against them that These criminals rely on victims isolation, loneliness, and sometimes their grief. The defendants are charged with wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Internet-based scams like the ones described in the indictment cost victims $600 million in 2020, according to the FBI. . A total of over N5.2 billion was reportedly lost to fraud during the first 9 months of 2020. ( source: Spend Journal) Card fraud over the next decade is expected to cost the industry a collective $408.50 billion in global losses. According to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria gained at least 2.5 million Internet subscribers during the lockdown of April 2020. This was contained . It added that the 33-year-old, who was arrested two years ago, used "subterfuge and impersonation" to lure his victims. Featured Image by Bermix Studio on Unsplash. It is alleged they preyed on their victims through dating sites using false identities. But in Q3 2020, Nigeria appeared to be the worst hit by a wide margin. Eleven suspects were charged in the Northern District of Texas and another 23 in the Eastern District, with one suspect charged in both districts. One of the larger Nigerian cybercrime gangs, known as SilverTerrier, has been hit in a law enforcement operation, with 11 individuals arrested in December, Interpol announced on Wednesday. The only mistake these victims make is being generous to the wrong people., Once they depleted the savings they vanished into thin air. Reports from eCommerce heavyweights, Jumia, and big tech giant, Google, suggested an increase in online activities during the lockdown period. 6. Nigerias assistant inspector general of police, Garba Baba Umar, said that working with Interpol, he was able to give the order to hunt down these globally active criminals nationwide, flushing them out no matter where they tried to hide in my country., Craig Jones, Interpols director of cybercrime, added: Interpol is closing ranks on gangs like SilverTerrier. The suspects, who have allegedly. Nigerian romance scam suspects targeted 100 women - FBI 20 October 2021 Getty Images Many of the alleged victims are believed to be widows and divorcees By Karen Schoonbee BBC News, Cape Town Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Peoples Gazette reported that court documents state the medical doctor was arraigned alongside his associates, Musa Bangura and Johanah Napoleon, on charges of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud; conspiracy to commit false statements relating to health care matters, and false statements relating to health care matters". Interestingly, people ranged 21 30 were the second most defrauded at 31%. Almost 2.8 million people filed a. The suspects used illicit money exchangers to move money to Nigeria, generally avoiding transferring the funds directly through banking institutions, the indictment says. Appendices - Analysis of Fraud and Forgeries in the Nigerian Banking Industry Appendix I (A) A Comparison of Fraud Activities between First Quarter 2021 and Second Quarter 2021 S/N Variables First Quarter, 2021 Second Quarter, 2021 . The suspects, who were arrested in Cape Town and are awaiting extradition, have suspected ties to a transnational organized crime syndicate originating in Nigeria known as Black Axe. The Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.1 million fraud reports from consumers in 2020, according to newly released data, with imposter scams remaining the most common type of fraud repor . The 11 persons were arrested in a Wednesday morning operation and have been charged for a number of financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. In opposing bail, prosecutor Robin Lewis alleged the men are members of the Black Axe, a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria, whose specialities include laundering money through various accounts. They are accused of using business email fraud schemes and romance scams to con victims - many of them elderly. Dith's Law was introduced in the Stormont assembly in 2021 and passed its final stage in February 2022. Announcing his resignation on Tuesday, the FFF stated it recognises the extraordinary sporting and economic accomplishments of Noel le Graet. Win an all-expense paid trip to AfricaCOM, Africas biggest tech event, If youre in Nigeria, you cant use the Apple-Google COVID-19 tracker feature yet. Okeke's Invictus Group companies were also accused of working with conspirators to create profiles of hundreds of victims including people in the US's Eastern District of Virginia. US officials said the group had been active since at least January 2017 and engaged in a wide range of fraudulent schemes, such as business email compromise (BEC), investor scams, and unemployment insurance fraud. After compromising a patient zero, fraudsters analyzed their email correspondence. found that in the. They are doing this in a girls high school in Qom to force us to sit at home. Col Mogale said once the suspects "had ingratiated themselves with their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money - ie taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc - and then siphoned money from victims". "This case is part of our ongoing efforts to protect Americans from fraudulent online schemes and to bring to justice those who prey upon American citizens and businesses," he added. Furthermore, the Black Axe arrests in the US represent the second crackdown against an international crime syndicates cybercrime operations. Considering his behavior toward women, his statements, and the FFFs governance flaws, Mr Le Graet no longer has the required legitimacy to lead and represent French football, the investigation found earlier this month. "Once a week about 10 luxury cars would arrive and leave again in a few hours. Approximately 33% of the victims were aged between 20 and 29, and 13% were aged between 70 and 79. Thirty-five Nigerians have been arrested in North Texas by the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, for involvement in a fraud worth $117million. over a romance scam. What's more: About one in ten people lost money in 2019. She got N1 million in the literary show. According to Group-IB, another cybersecurity company that assisted on the law enforcement operation, the gang typically relied on phishing as their way into a companys email account. "The Co-conspirators often used aliases not only of the purported love interest of a victim, but also of other people involved in that person's life, including a purported child, a business partner, or a friend, to bolster the perceived legitimacy of the stories portrayed, as a part of the Romance Scam or Advance Fee Scheme and to further induce the victims to send money on behalf of the purported love interest," the indictment said. July 24, 2021. The authorities have listed a total of 252 charges against the 80 suspects. They will face indictment for money laundering and wire scam that defrauded over 100 people nationwide. While members of the group have been arrested for cybercrime activities as far back as 2015, last weeks US arrests represent the biggest crackdown against Black Axes cybercrime operations. Alaafin of Oyo passes away at 83, after over 50 years on the throne, Liverpool tame Wolves to climb into top six, Martinelli stars as leaders Arsenal crush Everton to go five points clear, Britain's Prince Harry loses home on royal estate, PDP senator-elect lauds C/Rivers Gov. Only Turkey and Hungary have yet to approve Finland and Swedens applications to join the defensive alliance. scam scheme that cost a Lexington woman approximately. These victims are made to build trust with the scammers as they would pose interest by sharing a fake snivel story and then request a large sum of money. Liverpool moved into the Premier League's top six as goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah deepened Wolves' relegation fears with a 2-0 defeat at Anfield. [9] Although no girls have died, hundreds have had breathing issues, nausea, dizziness, and exhaustion. Who was St David, the patron saint of Wales? Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah stated at a press conference announcing the charges. "Americans are too often victimized by criminal organizations located abroad who use the internet to deceive those victims, defraud them of money, and, many times, persuade the victims to wittingly or unwittingly assist in perpetuating the fraudulent schemes," acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig said. Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life For the latest military news. The company claimed that one of those arrested had previously been apprehended by the FBI in 2018. Le Graet took over in 2011, and the mens national team won the 2018 World Cup after placing second in Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. The document also detailed that the Nursing School 1 students paid between $6,000 and $18,000 for the transcripts and certificates, the report added. Obinwanne Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi, used Nigerian-based companies to defraud people in the US. Since then, more than ten girls schools in the neighboring province have been attacked. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. and then siphoned money from victims accounts, tens of thousands of dollars at a time. Two Nigerian nationals, identified as Valentine Iro and Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe, who are part of those arrested in the US, have been named as co-conspirators working with others in the US and in Nigeria, to obtain money from victims and then transfer it abroad. Competitors were drawn from the academics for stage two winners across six Southwest Nigeria states. According to NBC, officials with the U.S. Attorney's Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas and the FBI . Feb. 27, 2023), Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today (Tue. Some FFF members have stated that Le Graet would continue to work for international governing organization FIFA. The French government launched the audit in October after learning of sexual harassment and bullying charges at the FFF, which the FFF has rejected. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has arrested 11 alleged members of a prolific cybercrime network as part of a national police operation coordinated with INTERPOL. Le Graet, who has been in office for 11 years and has a mandate until 2024, has previously faced sexual harassment allegations, which he rejects. A 252-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday charged 77 Nigerian nationals with participating in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars through a variety of fraud. While NBM started out with the goals of fighting racisms in the once British colony, the group, just like other Nigerian confraternities, adopted violent tactics and started delving into criminal activity. Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe on Wednesday in Calabar commended Cross Rivers Gov. Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Those aged 31 40 account for 27%, while people below 20 were the least defrauded with 6%. Video, From around 2015 to 2019, he was part of a group which engaged in a conspiracy to conduct various computer-based frauds, including creating fake websites, Africa Live: Stories from across the continent, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Oakeshott: Hancock sent me a 'menacing message', M&S sorry for displaying daffodils alongside veg, Rees-Mogg had Covid test couriered during shortage, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, School face masks worn to avoid Covid row - claims, Poor families more resourceful in past - top Tory, Parents who let neglected teen die jailed. "Widowers, widows, divorcees, they really target those folks in a vulnerable state, pulling at their heart strings, all with the intent of separating them from their money," Crouch told ABC News in a phone interview. 1 in 10 profiles on free dating sites is a scam. They are accused of defrauding more than 100 victims of almost $7m (5m) in total over the past decade. His recent arrest marks one of the first known instances of a Nigerian actor being arrested twice for BEC, it added. He also argued that if the men were to be freed on bail, they could tamper with evidence digitally. Despite campaigns from different banks, it appears people are being manipulated to give out confidential information. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (born 11 October 1982), commonly known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpuppi is a Nigerian former Instagram influencer and convicted felon. In 2018 internet-enabled theft, fraud, and exploitation were responsible for a massive $2.7 billion in financial losses. The bulk of this loss occurred between July and September 2020, when companies lost up to 3.36 billion. They assumed fake names and trolled dating sites like Match.com, ChistianMingle, JSwipe, and PlentyofFish, searching for targets. In 2016 Forbes Africa listed Okeke among the most influential businesspeople under the age of 30. "If you continue to be able to have a scheme that works you're going to keep going back to it," said George Crouch, special agent-in-charge of the FBI's Newark Field Office. Read about our approach to external linking. Hushpuppi, whose real name is Ramon Abbas, was. The suspects face 20 years in jail if convicted. Fadehan Oyeyemi. A Nigerian man suspected in Washington state's $650 million unemployment fraud was arrested Friday at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport by federal agents as he allegedly . Finally, report Nigerian scams to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by email at scam@efccnigeria.org. The actions of a few should not tarnish all Nigerians, she added. Nonetheless, Helsinki has fewer diplomatic obstacles than Stockholm, and the Finnish government wants to press forward even before the April elections in Finland. An example phishing email of the Nigerian fraud gang, according to Group-IB. 2023 BBC. Gross losses from gift card fraud in 2021 exceed $148 million. Blood, sweat and literal tears VideoBlood, sweat and literal tears 2023 BBC. VideoWatch: Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. This is especially when the scam takes place across international borders. Why Nigerian cyber fraudsters are 'role models', Baby's body found as police still question couple, Parents jailed for letting neglected teen die, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, Greece train crash: Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds', At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He said the schemes allegedly perpetrated by the Nigerians charged this week were particularly insidious because they played on people's emotions. 2023 BBC. Federal prosecutors quoted messages the defendants allegedly sent to victims, in one instance seeking a loan to fix a crane for a construction project: "Honey, i don't know how you will take this, i hate doing it but i have no other option, with profound sense of sadness and disgrace i am begging you to please loan me the balance, if possible a little bit more for upkeeping, i promise i will reimburse you once they come for inspection and give me the part-payment and that cannot be more than sometime next week.". Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said Infantino had seized the chance to utilise Noels qualities, adding if that implies indirectly that it comes at a good moment for Noel, its a wonderful thing. Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story 2021 and passed final. 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