From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force headquarters, Abuja, has arrested two high-profile suspects wanted for investment fraud and cybercrime in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crimes in the country.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects were arrested by operatives of National Central Bureau (NCB).
Adejobi, in a statement, said, “Following a meticulous investigation, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja, successfully apprehended Robert Harms, a Canadian national, in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.”
He explained that investigation was initiated following a petition by the company alleging that Harms, introduced through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023, fraudulently induced them to invest in a fictitious waste-to-energy project in Canada.
Adejobi explained further that the investigation was initiated following a formal petition by the company alleging that Harms, introduced through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023, fraudulently induced them to invest in a fictitious waste-to-energy project in Canada.
Investigations revealed that Harms fabricated a fraudulent Project Bridge Loan Agreement and orchestrated the transfer of funds to an account in Dubai, through Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja.
The statement added that Harms admitted to receiving the funds and violating the investment agreement, while formal criminal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo.
In a separate operation, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja, also successfully re-apprehended Okeke Ogechi Njaka, who is wanted for a series of cybercrimes and fraud-related offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
The statement added that these arrests underscored the NPF’s commitment to tackling both financial and cyber-related threats.
It added that NPF ,under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, emphasised its unyielding resolve to combat all forms of transnational financial crime. It urged members of the public to exercise utmost caution and due diligence before entering into high-value international agreements and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.