Three Fraudsters Arrested Over Ponzi Business That Defrauded Victims N3.5billion - UBA plays whistleblower
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Jun 25, 2021
Three ponzi scheme operators have been arrested after being exposed by the UBA Plc.
READ ALSO: Police Arrests Politician Who Stole Money From A Shop To Fund His Campaign | READ DETAILS
UBA Plc was the whistleblower over an account Annexation Business Concept, that led the EFCC Sokoto to arrest three Ponzi Scheme operators.
READ ALSO: Abia State Launches Free Christmas Transportation for Indigent Abians | SEE ROUTES INSIDE
The arrested suspects were Benson Kufre John, Joseph Iraboh Eseosa and Sunday Marcus Danjuma.
READ ALSO: IN CASE THE INTERNET IS SHUT DOWN: Five ways you can stay connected without internet
They were earlier declared wanted by the Commission for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting people in a N3.5billion Ponzi scheme.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Government Increases Passport Fees
The Commission first got wind of the alleged criminal activities of the trio on October 28, 2020 following a complaint from UBA Plc, regarding the operation of the Annexation Business Concept account opened by Danjuma.
READ ALSO: INTERESTlNG: I will never leave my husband - Chacha Eke Reveals Why
It was discovered by the Commission that the account had a turnover of N3, 525, 372, 654.43) within six months, February to August 2020.
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
In the course of investigation, the EFCC discovered that the suspects specifically opened the account as a vehicle to defraud unsuspecting members of the public by enticing them with mouth-watering "returns on investment" as high as 30%, 60% and 200% depending on the duration of the investment.
So far, investigation has established Benson Kufre John and Iraboh Joseph Eseosa, as the mastermind of the Scheme, who procured Sunday Marcus Danjuma to register the company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and opened the UBA Bank Account using fictitious addresses and unregistered phone number..
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Investigation further revealed that Marcus opened other accounts in GTB, Zenith Bank and Parkway Ready Cash operated by Benson Kufre and Joseph Iraboh.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Monies and property ranging from exotic cars, residential buildings in choice areas of Lekki in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, Benin in Edo State and Kebbi State worth about N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) have been recovered from the suspects.
READ ALSO: How Lawmakers Were Attacked In Bauchi, Properties Destroyed | DETAILS/PHOTOS
They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, EFCC spokesmen Wilson Uwujaren said.
Mr Bawa Kaltungo, who heads the EFCC office in Sokoto State said his operatives discovered that the operation of the account was at variance with the stipulated objectives of the company, which stated general merchandise and contracts.
"The suspects purposely opened the account with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public in the name of investment.
READ ALSO: Police Arrests Politician Who Stole Money From A Shop To Fund His Campaign | READ DETAILS
According to him, the investment is a pyramid ponzi scheme promising members of the public high and unrealistic returns.
READ ALSO: Abia State Launches Free Christmas Transportation for Indigent Abians | SEE ROUTES INSIDE
"It is worthy to also note that the suspected fraudsters deceived their victims and made them believe that the funds would be used to trade in Forex, Cryptocurrency among others.
READ ALSO: IN CASE THE INTERNET IS SHUT DOWN: Five ways you can stay connected without internet
"However, after a painstaking investigation spanning nine months, we were able to make a breakthrough by arresting three suspects while the others are at large," Kaltungo said.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Government Increases Passport Fees
Kaltungo warned the public to be wary of those who present their business or investment proposal that will yield unbelievable returns within minutes.
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our Troops" - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi