A shocking tale of digital deception has emerged, revealing how a Canada-based Nigerian woman was swindled out of a staggering N140 million. This elaborate scam, orchestrated through social media, has left the victim traumatized and highlights the increasing sophistication of online fraud.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened:
- The Hook: A fake Facebook profile using the name ‘Engineer Desmond Chibuike Okechukwu’ contacted the victim.
- The Bait: The scammer showed images of high-end properties, claiming to be a construction engineer.
- The Scam: The victim was convinced to invest in a property, transferring a total of N140 million.
- The Disappearance: The scammer vanished after receiving the final payment.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim, Sandra Austin, received a friend request on Facebook in February 2022 from an account posing as ‘Engineer Desmond Chibuike Okechukwu.’ Initially hesitant, she eventually accepted the request. The individual behind the account portrayed himself as a successful construction engineer with a portfolio of luxurious homes.
The Lure of Luxury
The scammer shared images of opulent properties in Ajah, Lagos, claiming they were projects he had completed. When Sandra expressed interest in purchasing one of these properties, she was told it would cost N150 million. This led her to believe she was investing in a genuine opportunity.
The Deception and Betrayal
Over time, Sandra transferred a total of N140 million to the bank account provided by the fraudster. The payments were sent in stages, with N110 million sent initially and the remaining N30 million shortly after. However, once the final payment was made, the scammer immediately cut off all communication.
The Devastating Impact
The ordeal left Sandra deeply traumatized. The inability to contact the scammer and the sheer magnitude of the loss caused her to develop hypertension, leading to prolonged hospitalization. To make matters worse, she received threats to her family if she reported the matter to authorities, further intensifying her distress. It is worth mentioning that these kinds of social media scams are becoming increasingly common, targeting unsuspecting individuals through sophisticated social engineering techniques.
The Investigation and Arrests
After recovering, Sandra contacted her family in Nigeria, who then reported the incident to the police. An investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of 29-year-old Michael Onyedikachi in Enugu on August 24. Onyedikachi, a native of Nkanu West, was living in a three-bedroom bungalow that was funded by his fraudulent activities. Police found a shrine in his home, suggesting ritualistic practices may also be involved.
The Accomplice and Sophisticated Methods
Onyedikachi confessed to running the fake Facebook account and using images of houses to deceive Sandra. He also revealed he had spent eight months in Accra, Ghana, learning online fraud techniques. The police further arrested his accomplice, Akachukwu Benedict, also 29, who was found in a luxurious hotel in Enugu. Benedict admitted to introducing Onyedikachi to online fraud in 2022 and confessed to scamming an American woman in 2021.
The Modus Operandi
The suspects acquired cloned SIM cards and received payments via cryptocurrency wallets to evade detection. This highlights the sophistication of their methods and the lengths they went to hide their criminal activities. Social engineering and fake personas were their primary tools, which allowed them to manipulate their victims into believing their lies.
Items Recovered and Ongoing Investigation
Items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Corolla, land documents, laptops, and mobile phones. The police investigation is still ongoing, and the suspects will be prosecuted once it concludes. Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko urged the public to remain cautious when interacting with strangers online and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
How To Avoid These Scams
Here are some important tips to avoid falling victim to scams like this:
- Be very cautious of accepting friend requests from unknown individuals, especially on social media platforms.
- Do not engage with profiles that seem too good to be true.
- Verify the legitimacy of online profiles and offers through trusted sources.
- Never send money to anyone you have only met online.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online fraud and the importance of vigilance when interacting with strangers on social media.