EFCC arrests Pankeeroy, Instagram comedian, for ‘internet fraud’

Operatives of the Lagos zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Nwagbo Oliver Chidera, an Instagram comedian better known as Pankeeroy, over alleged internet fraud.

In a statement on its website, the commission said the social media influencer was arrested alongside 34 other suspects on Wednesday at their hideout in Lekki axis of the state following an intelligence report.

According to the statement, Pankeeroy claimed he went into Bitcoin scam after experiencing depression.

It added that he had been presenting himself as a vendor who redeems bitcoin vouchers using the bitcoincoretrading.com platform to defraud his unsuspecting victims until his arrest.

The anti-graft agency said investigations also revealed that Christian, one of the suspects, allegedly defrauded an aged Asian-American lady of over $475,000.

It added that Christian confirmed in a statement to the commission that he had been disguising as Dave Federick, a 58-year-old US national on a mission in Syria, to lure his unsuspecting victims and defraud them of their hard-earned money.

The commission disclosed that a Mercedes Benz AMG GLE model worth N36,000,000 was recovered from him upon his arrest while findings showed that he had N22,300,000 worth of Bitcoin in his blocked chain account.

It noted that items recovered from the arrested suspects include exotic cars, iPhones, laptop computers, android devices and Macbook devices.

The agency added that the suspects will soon be charged to court.

Apart from the comedian, the other 34 suspects include Chinedu Omesu Christian, Gafar Kunle Adedamola, Chuka AnieboRichard, Nwagbo Chidera Oliver, Dibo Ayomide Samson, Rotimi Segun Damilola, Habeeb Banire Damilola, and Afolabi Bolutife Michael.

Others are Adekanbi Elijah Adeola, Emeka Christian Egwuatu, Adeyemi Adedamola Olumide, Awokoya Moyosore Iyaniwura, Efunnuga Dmilola Samuel, Samson Makinde Egwuatu, Gbemileke Jide Simeon,Omoyemi Fashola Owolabi, and Farouk Ibiwoye Olatunde.

Also listed among the suspects are Orapitan Yomi Segun, Oladunjoye Taiwo Olawale, Ibrahim Ajani Olanrewaju, Wasiu Olamilekan Sola, Olamiposi Toheeb Damilola, Isieq Qudus Olamilekan, Abel Ndubuisi Junior, Emmanuel Nonso Martins, and Timilehin Oladipo Jesse.

Kelvin Okpere Kendal, Omotola Oluwatobi Emmanuel, Rasaq Toyosi Farouq, Oyelere Olawale Shakiru, Timileyin Odeyemi Damilare, Kelly John Nwanou, Adedeji Emmanuel Olayinka, Balogun Subomi Ibrahim and Makinde Adewale Benjamin also made the list.