By John Ogunsemore
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of AU$8 million, approximately N8.34 billion.
The EFCC announced Otukpa’s arrest in a statement shared on Facebook on Friday, December 13.
According to the commission, the suspect was picked up in a stake out at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6.
“Otukpa, who goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson scammed the victims by luring them on the social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group, LAG.
“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform,” the anti-graft commission said.
The EFCC added that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.