The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, alongside the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday inspected a sprawling 753-unit housing estate in Abuja previously owned by the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

The estate, recently confiscated and handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing by the EFCC, marks one of the most high-profile recoveries under President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.

Speaking during the tour, Dangiwa disclosed that technical assessments, including structural integrity tests, would begin immediately. The estate, once certified safe, is set to be completed and offered to the public via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, which is already operational.

“This recovery is a landmark achievement—one of the most significant in the country’s recent history within such a short time,” Dangiwa said. “It reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that national assets serve the Nigerian people.”

He lauded the EFCC for its diligence and reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to repurpose the seized property to address the country’s housing deficit.

Dangiwa also used the occasion to warn public office holders against indulging in corrupt practices and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the EFCC’s mission of retrieving stolen national assets.

On his part, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that ill-gotten assets are recovered and redeployed for public use in line with President Tinubu’s directive.

The post Minister, EFCC Boss Inspect 753 Emefiele-Linked Abuja Housing Units, Vow Swift Repurposing first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Minister, EFCC Boss Inspect 753 Emefiele-Linked Abuja Housing Units, Vow Swift Repurposing appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

According to a release by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC Head, Media, and Publicity on Monday, the modus operandi of fraudsters involved in this nefarious practice involves keeping a debit card from the same bank, and in the guise of helping a confused bank customer at any ATM point, swapping the card in such a hurry that the customer would not notice and at the same time memorises the pin used in trying the fake cards.

These cards get stuck in the machine due to a wrong pin and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising him/ her to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account.

This card swapping typically happens in any service delivery point, such as Point of Sale, POS, terminals, and ATM points, among others.  The fraudulent practice is gaining momentum across the country and the banking public is enjoined to be more circumspect in the use of debit cards.

In view of the foregoing, the following tips may be useful in avoiding further financial losses by the banking public.

1. Cards should be kept in sight or in a safe place. Whenever you get your card back after making any payment, make sure it is your card and not just one that looks similar.

2. Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transaction.

3. Set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card.

4.  Cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at the POS terminal/ATM.

5. Do not be in a rush to make payments or withdrawals and request assistance only from officials of the bank.

6. Call your banks to block your ATM cards immediately when your cards are stuck in the ATMs or whenever you observe any irregularity.

7. Ensure you know your bank’s ATM offline blocking code and quickly make use of it whenever it is misplaced or stolen.

8. Dial the USSD code *966*911# and follow the pop-up instructions to block your ATM card instantly.

The EFCC will not relent in safeguarding personal, corporate, and national finances in its quest to rid our nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes.

The post EFCC Issues Nationwide Alert on ATM Card Swap Scams first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post EFCC Issues Nationwide Alert on ATM Card Swap Scams appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

According to the EFCC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the Octogenarian was docked on a four count charge bordering obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The complainant alleged that he bought four acres of land from the defendant for Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N4, 400,000) but he was later denied access to the land by some people who claimed to be the actual owners of the land.

One of the counts read, ”That you, Chief Olagoke Samson Amoo-Onidundu on or about the 19th August, 2020, at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) only from one Oluwagbemi Isaac Ashaolu by falsely telling him that the sum was part payment for the purchase of four acres of land you have secured for him, which you are in a position to deliver to him; which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a)of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges preferred against him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi asked for a date for the commencement of trial. He also prayed the Court to remand the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.

The court adjourned the case till August 9, 2021 while the defendant was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abolongo.

The post Ibadan Baale docked for land scam, remanded in Abolongo prison   first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Ibadan Baale docked for land scam, remanded in Abolongo prison   appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday launched an online App, named Eagle Eye, designed to enable easy reporting of financial crimes by members of the public.

Speaking at the launch of the online financial reporting platform in Abuja, the nation’s capital, its Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, warned against false information that could mislead the agency in its investigations.

Bawa declared that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on purveyors of misleading information.

He said informants wishing to provide verifiable tips and leads to aid its investigation are free to come under the whistle blower policy of the federal government.

“It is wrong to mislead the commission. Anybody that has malicious intent in the process of giving information to us will be dealt with according to the law”, he warned .

The EFCC boss described the App, the first by any law enforcement agency in Nigeria, as a product of ingenuity by a staff of the commission.

He noted that it is an application that was conceived, designed and developed by the EFCC.

According to Bawa, the initiative is a clear demonstration of his pledge on assumption of office, to run an agency that is technology-driven.

He added, “The Eagle Eye represents a new experience in information sharing and crime reporting between the public and the EFCC.

“Apart from complementing the existing channels for reporting economic crimes, the unique advantage of this application is that it eliminates direct person-to-person interface in the reporting process and guarantees anonymity which is an added incentive to effective whistle blowing”.

He appealed to members of the public to take advantage of the App in bringing cases of corruption and economic crimes to the knowledge of the EFCC”

“With the App, those who hitherto were afraid to report corruption cases to the commission either for fear of being identified by the culprits or having their identities revealed, can now do so with the assurance of full anonymity”.

The EFCC Chief emphasised that the Eagle Eye App, would go a long way in aiding the reportage of fraudulent activities of individuals particularly in the case of money laundering through real estate.

“With the Eagle Eye, Nigerians and Non-Nigerians can easily take a picture of a property suspected to have been fraudulently or corruptly acquired and report through the app seamlessly”, he said

He noted that media practitioners occupy important positions not only in helping to bring the knowledge of the application to the public, but also making use of it and helping others to understand how it could be deployed to further the fight against economic crimes including corruption.

“With the Eagle Eye, you have at your fingertips a device that will ultimately ensure that there is no hiding place for the corrupt in Nigeria”, he further explained.

“The App is a user-friendly application with features that can be navigated by any literate person. The first step is to download it to a device from either the Apple of Google play store.

“For those who want to key into the whistle blowing policy of the federal government and obtain reward for reporting corruption, such persons should indicate in the information they are providing”.

He, however, reiterated that there are penalties clearly stipulated in the laws for giving false information that could mislead the commission

The post EFCC steps up war against crimes, launches ‘Eagle Eye’ App first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post EFCC steps up war against crimes, launches ‘Eagle Eye’ App appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Wednesday, secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters. The convicts are Afolabi Gbolahan, Gbolahan Sodiq Atanda and Saheed Ayomide Rabiu.

Rabiu and Atanda were respectively convicted by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta while Justice Uche Agomo of the Federal High Court, Ibadan jailed Afolabi on an amended one count charge.

According to the commission, in a statement by its
Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the trio were found guilty of fraudulent impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act.

Afolabi was sentenced to seven months imprisonment while Rabiu and Atanda bagged one and three months jail term respectively.

Apart from the jail term, Afolabi was ordered to restitute $1,000 (One Thousand United States Dollars) to his victim, Brown Brain. He is also to forfeit his iPhone 7 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Atanda is to refund $350 USD (Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) and forfeit one black IPhone 11 Pro and one damaged Rose Gold IPhone to the Federal government of Nigeria.

Rabiu, is to forfeit one blue Itel P33 mobile phone to the Federal government of Nigeria

The post Photos: Court convicts 3 for cybercrime in Ogun, Oyo first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Photos: Court convicts 3 for cybercrime in Ogun, Oyo appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Ibadan Zonal Office, in the early hours of Tuesday, arrested a former soldier, Adebisi Jamiu and 33 others for suspected internet fraud.

The suspects were picked up in different locations in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Commission, in a statement by its Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren explained that the 22-year-old former soldier, Jamiu and the other suspects were arrested on the strength of verified intelligence on their alleged involvement in cybercrime.

The other suspects included , Muritala Olaniyi Lateef, Wasiu Olajide, Wasiu Sadiq, Olaniran Abiodun, Ayodeji Tosin, Olaniran Tayo, Oginni Oluwaseun, Oginni Olatunde, Ojuade Oluwafemi and Ibrahim Wande.

Others are, Oladiran Olayinka, Akinjobi Akinwunmi, Abayomi Aderohunmi, Olaoluwa Temitope, Idowu Olawale, Lawrence Taiwo, Ojo Gbenga, Tiamiyu Farouk, Oladele Seun, Akiniyi Boluwatife, Olaoluwa Mutiu, Olakunle Omolofe, Olalere Samad, Edbadon Johnson, Oketunbi Kayode, Gbeyide Tomiwa, Oluwanisola Elmuqsit, Bathlomew John, Ibikunle James, Olamide Oluwaseyi, Yusuf Mohammed, Adebola Ibrahim, and Ajayi Muyiwa.

The suspects have volunteered statements to the Commission and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, the statement said.

The post Osogbo: Army deserter, 33 others nabbed for suspected internet fraud first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Osogbo: Army deserter, 33 others nabbed for suspected internet fraud appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Officers affected are from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and above.

The Police Chief gave the directive in a letter titled ‘Withdrawal of Senior Police Officers from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police and above From EFCC’ .

The letter dated April 15, 2021, and addressed to the EFCC chairman was signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP and an acting Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa.

Justifying the directive, Owohunwa explained that the IGP took the decision as a result of the present operational requirements of the police.

The letter explained that the affected police officers were asked to report to the IGP’s Principal Staff Officer on April 21 for further instructions.

The IGP’s directive followed the disturbing rate of gunmen attacks on security facilities in parts of the country, including attacks on a State Police Command Headquarters and Zonal Police Headquarters in the South-East.

The post Acting IGP orders withdrawal of senior police officers attached to EFCC first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Acting IGP orders withdrawal of senior police officers attached to EFCC appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Twenty four of the suspects, most of whom claimed to be undergraduates, were rounded up today at their hideout in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State by operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission.

The suspects are, Isiaka Quadri Olawale, Ojubanire Akindimeji Abdulquadri, Shobowale Michael Morenikeji, Adeyemi Yusuf Ekundayo, Alabi Gift Jesse, Owolabi Yakubu Josebh, Olasupo Ogooluwa Ayomide, Emmanuel Segun Omogbolahan, Mufutau Sarafa Adewale, and Adekunle Habeeb Olamilekan.

Others are, Usman Abdullahi Olamilekan, Adurota Emmanuel Tosin, Adekunle Ibrahim Babatunde, Adeyiga Ayobami Emmanuel, Olubanji Remilekun Michael, Ibrahim Damola Iremide, Okunlaja Joshua Opeyemi, Aiyelokun Bolaji Emmanuel, Akintokun Olalekan Ibukunmi, Kehinde Victor Boluwatife, Oni Olanrewaju Gabriel, Shobowale Samuel Durodola, Owolabi Quadri Damilola and Monday Blessing Patrick.

The early morning raid, according to the Commission followed actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The arrest led to the recovery of valuable items, including four exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and several incriminating documents.

The remaining ten suspects were arrested by Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office on Tuesday at Horizon II Estate, Meadow Hall Way, Lekki, Lagos following credible information on their alleged criminal activities.

The suspects who are allegedly involved in romance scam, unemployment benefits scam, identity theft, and purchase of malicious tools to compromise corporate email accounts and intercept email messages, include: Daniel Udegbe, Taiwo Akintimehin, Abiola Opeyemi, Great Shayo Akintimehin, Dikoyejo Damilola Emmanuel, ibiayinabobo Daso and Toheeb Alhassan.

Others are: Michael Ofoedu Obinna, Sanni Azeez and Ridwan Adeyinka Songonuga.

Items recovered from the suspects include mobile phones and laptop computers.

The suspects have volunteered statements to the Commission and would be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The post EFCC Nabs 34 Yahoo Boys in Ibadan, Lagos first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post EFCC Nabs 34 Yahoo Boys in Ibadan, Lagos appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The convicts are: Beyioku Olatunji (a.k.a Bashorun), Beyioku Oluwayomi Oluwafemi (a.k.a Ola 1),Adeleke Ridwan Adekunle, AbdulFatai Waliu, Adelani Sarafa Yomi, Folarin Ikeoluwa Akinleye, Adebisi Abiola Victor, Adio Toheeb Oladimeji, Ogundulu Oluwashola Temitope and Amoo Rilwan Babatunde,

The Beyioku brothers,Olatunji and Oluwafemi were arrested in November 2019 for allegedly falsely presenting themselves as operatives of the Commission to defraud members of the public.

The two notorious Supernumerary Policemen, popularly known as Spy Police, were initially arraigned on January 23,2020 before Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, on 18-count charges bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, forgery, money laundering and obtaining money under false pretenses. They pleaded not guilty when the charges was read to them.

The duo thereafter approached the commission for a plea bargain.

Beyioku brothers and the eight other defendants today pleaded guilty to one count of impersonation separately filed against them the EFCC.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Murtala Usman, Oyelakin Oyediran and Shamsuddeen Bashir, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.

Justice Abubakar, in his judgment, convicted and sentenced Beyioku Olatunji Joe Oladapo and Beyioku Oluwayomi Oluwafemi to Eighteen months imprisonment from the day of arrest without option of fine, while Adelani bagged twelve months imprisonment without option of fine.

Adio was jailed six months with an option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine; Adeleke, and Waliu four months imprisonment with an option of N100, 000(One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine while Ogundulu bagged four months with an option of N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.

Amoo was given three months jailed term with an option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine while Adebisi, and Folarin are to spend three months in a Correctional Centre. They however have an option of N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine each.

The court also ordered the convict to pay restitutions to their victims. The Beyioku brothers are to restitute their victim, Tawakalitu Lasisi through the EFCC the total sum of N1,450,000 (One Million Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira); Adelani – $3,900 (Three Thousand Nine Hundred United State Dollars); Adeleke – $750 (Seven Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars); Wali – $130(One Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars); Folarin- $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars); Adebisi – $800 ( Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and N26,000 (Twenty Six Thousand Naira); Adio – $1,500 (One Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars); Ogundulu – $100 (One Hundred United States Dollars) and Amoo – N990,694,66 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Six Hundred Ninety Four Naira and Sixty Six Kobo )

The Beyioku brothers are to forfeit the following items: two Iphone 11, one white Nokia mobile phone, one black Iphone8 plus mobile handset, one small black Nokia mobile phone, one black 4G LTE MTN mobile WiFi, one Gold Apple watch series 3 42MM, three Nigeria Police warrant cards belonging to Beyioku Yomi, one Nigeria Police warrant card belonging to Olatunji Joe, one gold necklace, one Honda Crosstour V6 with registration No: BASHORUN, one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4MATIC with registration number OLA1

The eight other convicts are also to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The post Photos: Court Convicts Two Fake EFCC Operatives, Eight Others in Abeokuta first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Photos: Court Convicts Two Fake EFCC Operatives, Eight Others in Abeokuta appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

He was convicted after he pleaded guilty to an amended one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, preferred against him by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The lone charge reads, “that you, Michael Tosin Lawal ‘M’ sometimes in the year 2020, in Ibadan Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained Gift Cards from one Trevor, a white male by falsely representing to him that you are a white female by the name Cyndy Tyler from the United States of America, which pretence you knew to be false”.

Following his plea, Justice Odegbola convicted and sentenced him to three months in prison. He also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $50 (Fifty United States Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC and forfeit items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The post Oyo: Uber Driver Gets 3 Months Jail Term over Internet Fraud first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Oyo: Uber Driver Gets 3 Months Jail Term over Internet Fraud appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.