Five undergraduates of the Nnamdi
Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra
State are currently in the net at the
Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi
for allegedly committing fraud through
their bank account.
The students gave their bank account
number to a fraud syndicate whom they
met on different occasions in Anambra
State.
The suspects claimed they were unaware
that the kingpin would commit financial
atrocities with their account.
They were identified as Nwokorie
Somadina, Ekweme Somtomchukwu,
Chris Kizito, Ude Cyprian and Ebuka
Emmanuel. They are assisting detectives
at PSFU to unravel the whereabouts of
the criminal syndicate.
While Emmanuel alleged that he met one
of the conmen, Blade, through his cousin
in the village, Somadina, however,
alleged that he met another member of
the gang, Nat, through a fellow student.
According to Emmanuel: “I met Blade
through one of my cousins in the village.
We exchanged telephone numbers. A
week after we met, Blade asked if I had a
Zenith Bank account, which I said yes.
Two days later, he called again to say
that he had a transaction to make that
involved a Zenith Bank account holder.
He promised that I would get 20 per cent
of whatever amount that was paid into
my account. A few days later, someone
paid N2 million into my account.
“Blade met me and we went to the bank
where I withdrew the sum of N500, 000
cash from across the counter. Blade gave
me N100, 000. He demanded that I should
give him my ATM card, password and
token. I later discovered that N1 million
was withdrawn from my account two
days later. I gave back the N100, 000 to
Blade because I felt he had reneged on his
earlier promise of 20 percent”.
He claimed that he started receiving
series of calls from one Nat, who alleged
that he was the owner of the said N2
million that was paid into his account.
“It was through my discussion with Nat
that I got to know that Blade was a
middle-man between myself and the
gang. After my discussions with Nat, I
quickly informed my bank to put a hold
on any transaction through my ATM or
token” he added.
Another suspect, Somadina alleged that
he met Nat, another member of the gang
through a fellow student.
He said he was also promised 20 percent
on any transaction made using his
account details.
“Someone paid N950,000 into my
account. The entire amount was
withdrawn because I gave out my ATM
and password,” he added.
Confirming the arrest of the students, the
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in
charge of PSFU, Lawal Audu, an Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the
suspects ripped their victim of N8.5
million.
According to him: “The unit received a
petition from the management of Golden
Chance Loto about a fraudulent
withdrawal of the said sum from the
company’s account.”
He disclosed that based on the strength of
the petition, the Commissioner of Police
in charge of PSFU detailed some detectives
to go after the perpetrators of the crime.
“In the cause of investigation, it was
discovered that the amount which was
fraudulently withdrawn from the
company was paid into the suspects
account.
“The detectives trailed the suspects to
their hideouts in Anambra State from
where they were all arrested. The
investigation also revealed the gang
kingpins, Nat, and Blade were the
masterminds of the fraud. The two ring
leaders are currently at large and effort
is on going to arrest the fleeing members
of the gang,” he said.
Audu further said that the suspects
would soon be charged to court.
The guardian
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