N43M Internet Scam: EFCC Arrest 4 Uniport Students

Four University of Port Harcourt undergraduates have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their alleged involvement in Internet fraud.

The four suspects allegedly defrauded 15 victims of $111,500 (N43,104,785).

A statement by the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Port Harcourt zone, made available to one of our correspondents, identified the suspects as Prince Hyacinth, Rex Emadifie Oghene, Odili Ifeanyi and Uduak Williams.

“Upon their arrest, the following items were recovered; one Tecno Spark 4, belonging to Prince Hyacinth; one iPhone 11 Pro Max, two Infinix Hot  and one Apple laptop, belonging to Odili Ifeanyi; one iPhone 7 and two iPhone 11, belonging to Rex Emadifie  Oghene; and one iPhone 8+, one Acer laptop and one HP laptop, belonging to Uduak Samuel Williams.

“Preliminary investigation established that the suspects were majorly involved in romance scam and also acted as pickers for organised ring of fraudsters.

“While Prince Hyacinth paraded himself as a Spain-based marine engineer to bait his victims, Rex Emadifie Oghene posed as a rig engineer based in the United States,” the EFCC statement read.

It was further disclosed that two other suspects, Ifeanyi and Williams, presented themselves as rig/marine engineers to defraud their victims.

“Between the four, a total heist of $111,500 from 15 victims has passed through their hands. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” the statement added.

The suspects were said to have been apprehended at their hideout on Chibiak Avenue, Elioparanwo, Ada George, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.