The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday, said investigation conducted following the arrest of the alleged internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly called Mompha, has shown that the suspect has laundered about N14billion through a firm known as Ismalob Global Investments Limited.
He also said that Mompha operates 51 bank accounts in Nigeria with which he acquires properties in Dubai, aside the five wristwatches valued at over N60million which were recovered from him at the point of arrest.
Magu revealed this during an interactive session with stakeholders at the Lagos Zonal office of the Commission.
According to the EFCC boss, “the recent arrests of a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his Lebanese collaborator, Hamza Koudeih, for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud and money laundering remain a landmark achievement of the EFCC.”
Magu said actionable intelligence received from local and international law enforcement agencies had revealed that the suspects, alongside their collaborators, were high-valued targets in Organized Cyber Syndicate Network, OCSN.
“I make bold to tell you that these arrests have further confirmed our commitment to the anti-graft war, while also sending a red alert to potential internet fraudsters.
“I am sure you will be greatly shocked to know that five wristwatches valued at over N60million were recovered from the suspected internet fraudster, Mompha, at the point of arrest.
“Investigation has also revealed that he operates 51 bank accounts in Nigeria with which he acquires properties in Dubai and had laundered about N14billion through a firm known as Ismalob Global Investments Limited,” Magu said.
He added: “His accomplice, Koudeih, also has two firms namely: THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited with which he has allegedly laundered about N19billion.
“Koudeih lives in a $5million per annum suite at the Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower, Victoria Island, Lagos.”
The EFCC chair also said the Commission had begun forensic analysis of the phones, documents and “strange” items recovered from both suspects.
“They will be charged to court accordingly as soon as investigation is concluded,” he noted.
Magu also emphasized the fact that the Commission, prior to the arrests of both Mompha and Koudeih, had independently launched intensive investigative actions against the Internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys, culminating in various strategic raids on their hideouts.
He revealed that the Commission might soon put in place a policy of rehabilitating convicted internet fraudsters so that they could deploy “their computer wizardry to good use for the overall well-being of the society.”
He further disclosed that the EFCC would soon commence the auctioning of recovered items, adding that the commission wants to ensure there is transparency in the process of auctioning the items.
He, therefore, charged the media to join hands with the Commission in sensitizing the members of the public about the evil of internet frauds as well as economic and financial crimes.
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