EFCC probes man accused of using fake alerts to defraud BDC operators
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Enugu Zonal Directorate has launched an investigation into Raheem Abiodun Wasiu, a 38-year-old man, following allegations of a $12,000 fraud scheme targeting Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.
According to an EFCC statement, Wasiu is suspected of presenting himself as a wealthy contractor and using counterfeit bank alerts to deceive BDC operators into believing he had made payments in exchange for foreign currency.
Wasiu’s arrest followed a complaint filed by Ezekulie Stanley Chukwuamuanya, a BDC operator, who accused him of defrauding him of $5,000. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took him into custody based on this report.
Preliminary investigations have suggested that Wasiu rented various Toyota Hilux trucks and traveled to different locations in the South-East, often accompanied by escorts, to meet with BDC operators. It is alleged that after collecting currency from his victims, he provided fake naira payment alerts to create the illusion that the promised transfers had been completed.
Chukwuamuanya detailed his experience, stating that after providing Wasiu with the dollar amount, he was told to expect a bank alert as confirmation of the transaction. “I waited for the alert to come, to no avail,” he said, noting that he later found Wasiu unreachable.
Another victim, Chief Nwaoha Ubaferem from Owerri, Imo State, reported that he had been defrauded of $7,000. Ubaferem explained that he initially provided $2,600 and called his office to arrange for an additional $4,400 at Wasiu’s request. Following a series of miscommunications and assurances from Wasiu, he also left without receiving the promised payment alert.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Wasiu had traveled across the South-East and into Akwa Ibom State, allegedly employing the same fraudulent tactics against BDC operators.
Authorities recovered multiple items from Wasiu, including a Toyota Hilux truck with the registration number KTR 379 AA, several bank ATM cards, different bank transfer tokens, and a digital National Identification Number slip registered under the name Sunday Abiodun. Additional items included two complimentary cards in the name Engineer Abiodun, a designer Emporio Armani bag, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a Samsung phone, a 4G internet pocket Wi-Fi, a Patek Philippe wristwatch, vehicle documents, a gold bangle, and a pair of Alexander McQueen shoes.
The EFCC has stated that Wasiu will face charges in court upon completion of their investigations.
