The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had in its custody one Osondu Victor Igwilo said to be on the watch list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018 for alleged involvement in an $100m fraud.
The agency in a statement by its Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said Igwilo, 52, was arrested on Thursday, March 11, 2022, by its Lagos Command.
The EFCC claimed that Igwilo, “the alleged leader of a criminal network of ‘catchers’, was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel and John Anazo Achukwu at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos for alleged fraud, money laundering and identity theft to the tune of about $100m.
“Before their arrest, Igwilo and his accomplices had allegedly been involved in an advance-fee scheme that involved false promises of investment funding by individuals who impersonated some United States of America (USA) bank officials in person and via the internet.
“Investigation revealed that those who fell victim to the suspects’ criminal activities were asked to make certain payments before they could receive their funding.
“It was also revealed that proceeds of the scheme were allegedly laundered through U.S. bank accounts and diverted back to the alleged perpetrators in Nigeria.
“Consequently, Igwilo was placed on the FBI watch list, following a criminal complaint filed against him in the United States District Court, Houston, Texas in December 2016.”
The Commission said following their arrest, five houses located in choice areas of Lagos were recovered from Igwilo.
“The suspects will soon be charged to court,” Uwujaren added.
