Saturday, November 16, 2024 -Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos State have rejected a bribe of N174 million offered by a suspected internet fraudster to avoid arrest and prosecution.
The suspect identified as Patrick Akpoguma, is alleged to have been
involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams,
identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and
cultism.
The
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, who
disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Friday, November 15, 2024, said the
suspect offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars),
equivalent to about N174 million, to law enforcement officials.
Fayoade revealed that investigations into Akpoguma began on November 7,
2024, following complaints from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the
suspect resides.
“Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance
scams and other cryptocurrency-related scams. He meets various people online
and presents himself as a notable and famous Caucasian American, such as
Colonel Matt Herbert, a serving U.S. Army officer currently on a peacekeeping
mission in Iran. He also impersonates Adam Taggart, a renowned cryptocurrency
and stock brokerage expert in the United States,” he said.
The AIG further disclosed that Akpoguma used these fake identities to
lure unsuspecting victims into fraudulent schemes.
“He convinced his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive
working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request
loans,"
"Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or
through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded over seven victims
using this method.”
To execute these fraudulent activities, the suspect reportedly created a
fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’
“This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from
maskmakers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki,”
he explained.
The AIG added, “He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask,
which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.”
Revealing further details, AIG Fayoade said, “Surprisingly, during the
investigation, the suspect began pleading and offering money to be let off the
hook. Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from the
Raider team, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, to play along. On November 12, 2024, he
offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to
about One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million Naira. The money was accepted,
registered as evidence, and the investigation continued. So far, the
investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned
accordingly."
Speaking with newsmen, the suspect admitted to turning to fraud three
years ago, citing frustration over his inability to find meaningful
employment.
“I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, and I am 28 years old. After
leaving school, it became clear that I needed to find my own path and try to
get on my feet. I decided to try fraud while I looked for something
legitimate,” he confessed.
The suspect also revealed details about his lifestyle and fraudulent
activities.
“I started doing fraud three years ago, and since then, I’ve made over
$500,000 USD. I have achieved a lot. I own a house in Lagos, a house in Edo
State, and a GLE Benz worth N100 million,” he stated.
He explained his approach to defrauding victims, adding, “Once I defraud
people and feel I have taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t
leave them penniless.”
Regarding his encounter with the police, the suspect admitted that it
was his first experience with law enforcement.
“In my three years of fraud, I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad encounter
with the police. This is the first time I’ve been in contact with the police. I
was just trying to negotiate with them, and I thought they were actually
responding to the negotiation.”
He commended the integrity of the officers involved in his case, saying,
“I must confess, it’s a good step for the Nigerian police and the Nigerian
people to regain their trust in the police for being transparent. It’s good to
know that some credible officers are still out there, willing to see justice
done.”
The suspect also used the opportunity to advise others who might be
involved in similar activities.
“My advice to people like me is: I would advise everyone to be more diligent, stay focused on the process, find something legitimate, and grow. Because I believe that what is legitimate has the space and platform to grow, whereas illegitimate income is not dependent on you, and it has no space for growth."
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