NSCDC arrests suspects ‘buying and selling bank accounts’ in Ondo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo has arrested Maxwell Lakoju and Adejumo David for allegedly obtaining bank account details for criminal use.

Daniel Aidamenbor, spokesperson of the command, said the suspects confessed to the crime.

Aidamenbor said the suspects were arrested by the counter terrorism unit of  the command.

“Investigation activities began when one Mr Oluwole, a car dealer, alleged that the sum of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand naira (N1,500,000) paid into his United Bank of Africa (UBA) account was stolen by cyber criminals overnight,” he said.

“A forensic analysis of the UBA statement of account of Mr Oluwole revealed a certain Palmpay account EL-SAEED YUSUF 9133771898 received a sum of N200,000 from the N1,500,000 stolen from the account of Mr Oluwole and the balance sum used for online purchases.

“Zenith bank account, SAMPSON ONYENEBE received the entire ₦200,000 from the Palmpay account of EL-SAEED YUSUF while another account, JOHN YOBG DADD 7025128574 at FIRSTMONIE equally received other sum from EL-SAEED YUSUF Palmpay account.

“Sampson Onyenebe who was arrested in Owerri, Imo state, claimed that he met Maxwell Lakoju aka Ifa Dollar on Facebook in 2022 and they discussed and agreed on how Maxwell would assist him with metaphysical power for wealth.

“Among other requirements for the process, Sampson Onyenebe paid thousands of naira through an account belonging to David Adejumo and he also handed over Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards , Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) of about Eight (8) bank accounts belonging to himself and his wife to Maxwell.”

He said the arrest of Adejumo led to the arrest of Lakoju in Auchi, Edo state.

He said the suspects confessed to obtaining the bank accounts and details, including the ATM cards by courier, from Onyenebe and his wife.

“Investigation is still ongoing to determine the involvement of bank officials and information technology professionals in this new cybercrime activities,” he added.