EFCC arrests four UNIPORT students over ‘$111,500 internet fraud’

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) over alleged internet fraud.

The commission, while breaking the news in a statement via its website on Thursday, said the suspects were apprehended by its Port Harcourt zonal office for scamming 15 victims of $111,500.

It said the students — Prince Hyacinth, Rex Emadifie Oghene, Odili Ifeayi, and Uduak Samuel Williams— were picked up in hideout at Chibiak Avenue, Elenpranwo in Port Harcourt.

The EFCC said the items recovered from them include one Tecno Spark 4 belonging to Prince Hyacinth, one iPhone 11 Pro Max, two Infinix Hot, and one Apple Laptop belonging to Odili Ifeanyi.

Alleged $111,500 Internet Fraud: EFCC Arrests 4 Uniport Undergraduates In Port Harcourt pic.twitter.com/e54EFcWbUB

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) August 20, 2020

Other items also listed include one iPhone 7, two iPhone 11 belonging to Rex Emadifie Oghene and one iPhone 8+, as well as an Acer Laptop and one HP Laptop for Uduak Samuel Williams.

“Preliminary investigation established that the suspects are majorly involved in a romance scam and also act as pickers for an organized ring of fraudsters.” the statement read.

“While Prince Hyacinth parades himself as a Spain-based marine engineer to bait his victims, Rex Emadifie Oghene poses as a rig engineer based in the United State.

“Two others, Odili Ifeayi and Uduak Samuel Williams present themselves as rig/marine engineers to defraud victims. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”