Saturday, September 7, 2024 -The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, September 6, handed over a total of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, fraudulently obtained by certain Nigerians from Canadian citizens to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the
return of the recovered vehicles and funds, the Executive Chairman of the
Commission, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the Canadians were victims of
cybercrimes.
Olukoyede said recovering and returning the
assets reinforced the commission’s commitment to fighting financial crimes.
The EFCC Chairman said the event also
emphasised the need for countries to collaborate to tackle financial and other
forms of crime.
He said, "This is an occasion we
are using to demonstrate our commitment to fighting financial crimes and to
also collaborate with other countries and agencies around the world. It’s
common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the
globe.
"It has become a global problem.
The people who perpetrate these crimes do so in a way that shows their
activities are borderless and barbaric.
"They employ various means to
ensure they move across jurisdictions. That’s why it has become very necessary
and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world.
"Most countries are
collaborating with us in the fight against financial crimes. What you are
witnessing today is a demonstration of that reinforced commitment. The Royal
Canadian Mounted Police has been collaborating with us.
"This collaboration has resulted
in many recoveries and the impact of joint operations."
Olukoyede added: "We are here
today to witness the handover of assets recovered on behalf of Canadian victims
of cybercrime. The operations have taken a couple of years and have resulted in
a substantial recovery."
He said Nigeria should not be seen as
a hub of financial and other crimes, adding that the country does not tolerate
criminal activities.
He said, "It is important for us
to let our colleagues and friends from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police know
that as an agency, the EFCC, and as a country, Nigeria is always ready to fight
financial crimes. Nigeria should not necessarily be seen as a hub of financial
crimes. It is a transit town, as are Canada and most countries across the world
because people move from one jurisdiction to another.
"This is also a demonstration that the
Nigerian government will never tolerate any act of financial crime."
The EFCC Chairman pledged to
investigate, prosecute, and recover assets for victims of financial crimes.
He said, "The Nigerian
government does not tolerate financial crimes. Not only that, we will pursue,
investigate, recover, prosecute, and ensure that victims are restituted. That
is what we are doing today."
Speaking on the recoveries, he said
$164,000 was taken from Bogomas Elena, while one Sandra Butler was defrauded of
$16,300.
He said, "In total, 53 vehicles
were recovered on behalf of the victims. In one instance, $164,000 was taken
from Elena, and $16,300 was also recovered. These will be handed over to the
Canadian police to return to the victims."
Providing background on the recovery
process, Zonal Director of the Lagos Directorate, Micheal Wetkas, said the
Canadian police approached the commission in 2012 regarding stolen vehicles
that had gone missing en route from Canada.
He said, "All they provided us
with were the vehicle registration numbers. From there, our team quickly traced
the vehicles. At one point, we realised the scale of the operation, which was
quite large, and it became known as Operation Hot Wheels.
"It was a joint operation
between us and Canadian police officers. This collaboration led to the recovery
of the 53 vehicles handed over today. Among them, nine were tracked from a
vessel transporting them abroad back to Nigeria. That is the brief story behind
the operation."
He said Bogomas’ case was a romance
scam reported to the commission.
"An intelligence-led investigation was
painstakingly conducted, and investigators discovered that the fraudster had
used the proceeds to purchase real estate in Lagos. This property was traced,
confiscated, and the assets returned.
"Today, we are celebrating the
recovery of $164,000 on behalf of Bogomas. The fraudster has been convicted,
and another suspect is still on trial," he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Canadian Police,
Premier Secretary and Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Robert Aboumitri,
commended the EFCC for their efforts.
He said, "This is a testament to your
professionalism and commitment to combating crime. I also cannot conclude my
remarks without thanking the Government of Nigeria. If I may, Mr Executive
Chairman, I’d like to add that we cover multiple countries, and many of them
would be envious of the work you are doing here.
"This shows that you are one of the
key partners in West Africa in the fight against crime. Thank you very much. We
highly value this partnership and would like to elevate it to the highest level
possible."
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