THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it has arrested two suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Owerri, Imo State.
Ogbonnah Atoukaritou and Chidi Egbeonu are believed to be on the list of persons wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States over alleged Internet scam.
It was learnt that Atoukaritou was a leader of a syndicate engaged in business email compromise, while Egbeonu allegedly defrauded a US-based victim, Goldberg Segalla, and other unidentified victims.
A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said laptops and android phones were recovered from the suspects.
The agency said the operation that led to the arrest of the duo was part of the ongoing collaborative efforts with the FBI.
The statement read in part, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, has arrested two suspected Internet fraudsters linked to the ongoing collaborative investigations between the EFCC and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The suspects were arrested in Port Harcourt and Owerri.
“One of them, Ogbonnah Atoukaritou, a leader of a fraud syndicate allegedly engaged in Business Email Compromise, was arrested in Port Harcourt while the other suspect, Chidi Egbeonu, suspected to be involved in defrauding a US-based victim, Goldberg Segalla, and other victims was arrested in Owerri.
“Items recovered from the suspects are laptops, android phones, land documents, hard disks, Central Processing Unit, warehouse and a recently built house.”
According to the agency, the suspects will be arraigned as soon as investigations are concluded.
PUNCH
