EFCC arrests 35-year-old ‘billionaire internet fraudster’ in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested Hyginus Nkwocha, a suspected billionaire internet fraudster, in Abuja.

In a statement on Thursday, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, said 35-year-old Nkwocha was arrested at the Ever-Green Estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja on Wednesday.

Oyewale said the suspect was taken into custody after operatives acted on credible information that confirmed his involvement in internet-related offences.

He said items recovered from the suspect included “a sum of 2,200 dollars, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a MacBook”.

“Other items recovered include a gold chain and pendant, a gold bracelet, a gold neck chain, a Mercedes Benz ML 350, a Chevrolet Camaro, and a Mustang car,” he added.

“Also recovered are some properties at Cookies Court 2, located in Ocean Palm Estate, Ajah, Lagos; Unit C8, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja; and Cookies Court 2, 2nd Avenue, Ocean Palm Estate, Ogombo, Lagos State.”

The EFCC spokesperson added that the suspect will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

In February, the EFCC arrested 26 suspected fraudsters in Abuja.

Items recovered from them included a Toyota Tacoma, a CLS Mercedes 450, three Lexus cars, 40 phones, and seven laptops.

In the same month, the agency arrested 14 undergraduate students of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) for suspected internet fraud.