Father, son arrested over Internet fraud in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it had commenced investigation into alleged conspiracy, computer-related fraud, obtaining by false pretenses, and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities leveled against one Malik Bakare.

A statement by the anti-graft agency’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said Malik was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Lagos, on May 31, 2021, and handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

The statement read in part, “Investigation revealed that he acts as a middleman, who connects Internet fraudsters around the globe with pickers, and receives some percentage on every successful transaction from the proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The suspect’s father was also arrested when he came forward to claim ownership of a Range Rover SUV that was retrieved from his son without proof of ownership.

“During the investigation, his father, Isa Bakare, appeared at the commission, claiming ownership of a Range Rover SUV estimated at about N46m, which was recovered from his son. He, however, could not give a satisfactory account of how he was able to procure the vehicle.”

The statement added that the suspects would soon be charged.

The EFCC was established in 2003, partially in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries non-cooperative in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering