The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened up on the real reason why Instagram celebrity, Nwagbo Oliver Chidera, popularly known as Pankeeroy was arrested.
It was gathered that Pankeeroy was arrested on Wednesday along with 34 others for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the EFCC whisked him and the others away from their hideout in James Court, Lekki, Lagos State.
The Commission explained that their arrest followed verified intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.
EFCC stated that Pankeeroy claimed to have gone into Bitcoin scam, presenting himself as a vendor, who redeems Bitcoin vouchers, after he suffered depression.
“Until his arrest, Chidera, who claimed to have gone into Bitcoin scam after he suffered depression, had been presenting himself as a vendor who redeems bitcoin vouchers using the bitcoincoretrading.com to defraud his unsuspecting victims,” the EFCC stated.
Pankeeroy, with over 500 thousand followers on Instagram was arrested in Lagos State along with 34 others for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.
EFCC gave the names of the other suspects arrested along with Pankeeroy as: Chinedu Omesu Christian, Gafar Kunle Adedamola, Chuka AnieboRichard, Dibo Ayomide Samson, Rotimi Segun Damilola, Habeeb Banire Damilola, Afolabi Bolutife Michael, and Adekanbi Elijah Adeola.
Others are: Emeka Christian Egwuatu, Adeyemi Adedamola Olumide, Awokoya Moyosore lyaniwura, Efunnuga Dmilola Samuel, Samson Makinde Egwuatu, Gbemileke Jide Simeon,Omoyemi Fashola Owolabi, and Farouk Ibiwoye Olatunde.
“They were arrested on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at their hideout in James Court, Lekki, Lagos, following verified intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities,” the EFCC stated.
Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that one of the suspects, Christian, allegedly defrauded an aged Asian-American lady of over $475, 000 (Four Hundred and Seventy -Five Thousand US Dollars).
In his statement to the Commission, Christian confessed to have been posing as one Dave Federick, a 58-year-old United States national on a mission in Syria, in order to lure his unsuspecting victims and defraud them of their hard-earned money.
Upon his arrest, a Mercedes Benz AMG GLE model worth N36,000,000 (Thirty-six Million Naira) was recovered from him.
Investigations also revealed that the suspect has N22,300,000.00 (Twenty- two Million, Three Hundred Naira) worth of Bitcoin in his blocked chain account.
Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars, iPhones, laptop computers, Android devices and Macbook devices.
“The suspects will soon be charged to court,” EFCC stated.