The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has arrested a suspected Internet fraudster, Adebayo Olawale and his pastor, Gbenga Moses Adesoju over a N12.7m scam.
Adebayo was arrested for allegedly defrauding one Umar Hayatu of Lafiya quarters, Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Adesoju, who is the pastor in charge of Christ Apostolic Church in Ile Ife, Osun State was arrested for benefiting from the proceeds of the scam having provided spiritual support to Adebayo.
Adebayo and Adesoju were arrested in Ile-Ife, Osun State by EFCC operatives following Hayatu’s petition to the commission.
The suspects allegedly conspired and defrauded the Hayatu via social media platforms.
According to EFCC while presenting the suspects, Adebayo, the prime suspect, contacted the victim using fake Facebook account names Williams Angellina and Omolola Adebayo.
He deceived the victim to believing that his parents have a company abroad and will make Hayatu the Nigerian manager of the company in Lagos.
The suspect further sent the victim various fake pictures of houses and cars that would be given to him as his benefits as soon as the company commences operation.
He also promised him $30,000 and expensive gifts such as iPhone and jewellery.
The Commission said preliminary investigation revealed that N12, 798, 387.00, proceeds of the fraud, were traced to the suspect’s account in a new generation bank.
Gbenga was said to have received a car BMW, a plot of land and various sums of money from the proceeds of crime for his spiritual intervention.
The two suspects were said to have volunteered useful information to the commission and would be charged to court soon.
