The Acting Chairman of the EFCC,
Ibrahim Magu, has described the recent arrest of an internet fraudster, Ismaila
Mustapha, also known as Mompha and his Lebanese accomplice, Hamza Koudeih, as a
landmark achievement in the sustained fight against internet-related frauds and
money laundering in the country.
Magu said the arrest of Mompha
and Hamza by operatives of the EFCC, bore testimony to the commitment of the
Commission to the fight against internet-related frauds,.
He added that “it is also a red
alert to potential internet fraudsters.”
Speaking during an interactive
session with stakeholders at the Lagos Zonal office of the Commission on
Thursday, Magu said actionable intelligence received from local and
international law enforcement agencies had revealed that the suspects,
alongside their collaborators, were high-valued targets in Organized Cyber
Syndicate Network, OCSN.
According to him, “the recent
arrests of a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as
Mompha, and his Lebanese collaborator, Hamza Koudeih, for their alleged
involvement in internet-related fraud and money laundering remain a landmark
achievement of the EFCC.
“I make bold to tell you that
these arrests have further confirmed our commitment to the anti-graft war,
while also sending a red alert to potential internet fraudsters.
“I am sure you will be greatly
shocked to know that five wristwatches valued at over N60million were recovered
from the suspected internet fraudster, Mompha, at the point of arrest.
“Investigation has also revealed
that he operates 51 bank accounts in Nigeria with which he acquires properties
in Dubai and had laundered about N14billion through a firm known as Ismalob
Global Investments Limited.
“His accomplice, Koudeih, also
has two firms namely: THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited with
which he has allegedly laundered about N19billion.
“Koudeih lives in a $5million per
annum suite at the Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower, Victoria Island Lagos.“
The EFCC Chair also stated that
the Commission had begun forensic analysis of the phones, documents and
“strange” items recovered from both suspects.
“They will be charged to court
accordingly as soon as investigation is concluded,” he added.
Magu also emphasized the fact
that the Commission, prior to the arrests of both Mompha and Koudeih, had
independently launched intensive investigative actions against the Internet
fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys, culminating in various
strategic raids on their hideouts.
He further stated that the
Commission had embarked on the raids even before the recently concluded
collaborative operation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, tagged
Operation Rewired- an international operation targeted at the Business Email Compromise,
BEC, suspects across the world.
Magu added that “From January to
date, the Lagos office of EFCC has made over 300 arrests, secured 207
convictions and recovered a good number of exotic cars. In addition, several
properties suspected to have been acquired through the proceeds of crime were
sealed.”
He, therefore, charged the media
to join hands with the Commission in sensitizing the members of the public
about the evil of internet frauds as well as economic and financial crimes.
Magu, who described media
professionals as critical stakeholders in the anti-graft war, said: “We must
collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one that our children
and even generations unborn will be proud of.
“it is very critical for you to
understand that you owe the youths that social responsibility of awakening
their consciousness to the importance of a noble life devoid of crimes.
“We must continue to mentor our
youths and impress it on them to shun crimes and its alluring temptation
because it will always end in sorrow and regrets.
“For us, there will be no hiding
place for fraudsters as the Commission will hunt and bring any errant and
criminally-minded persons to justice. “
Magu also used the occasion to
disclose that the Commission might soon put in place a policy of rehabilitating
convicted internet fraudsters so that they could deploy “their computer
wizardry to good use for the overall well-being of the society.”
He further disclosed to the
stakeholders that the EFCC would commence the auctioning of recovered items
soon, adding that the commission wants to ensure there is transparency in the
process of auctioning the items.
“We have already commenced the
process in Port Harcourt, where we will be auctioning 242 trucks that have been
forfeited. We have so many recovered items that have been forfeited to the
Federal Government that are waiting to be auctioned. The process should be
properly coordinated in compliance with judgment given by the court and that is
why we have taken so much time”.
Magu urged the stakeholders to
join the EFCC in the fight against corruption by using their platform to expose
the criminals and not promote them.
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