The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a suspected internet fraudster, one Osondu Victor Igwilo, who had been on the watch list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), since 2018.

Fifty-two year-old Igwilo, the alleged leader of a criminal network of ‘catchers’, was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmaunel and John Anazo Achukwu last Friday at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State for an alleged fraud, money laundering and identity theft to the tune of about $100m.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Monday.

Uwujaren stated that before the arrest, Igwilo and his accomplices had allegedly been involved in an advance-fee scheme that involved false promises of investment funding by individuals who impersonated some United States bank officials in person and via the internet.

The EFCC spokesperson added: “Investigation revealed that those who fell victims of the suspects’ criminal activities were asked to make certain payments before they could receive their funding.

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“It was also revealed that proceeds of the scheme were allegedly laundered through U.S. bank accounts and diverted back to the alleged perpetrators in Nigeria.

“Consequently, Igwilo was placed on the FBI watch list, following a criminal complaint filed against him in the United States District Court, Houston, Texas in December 2016.

“Following their arrest, five houses located in choice areas of Lagos were recovered from Igwilo.”

He noted that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

The Star