EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has described the recent arrest of an alleged
internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha and his
Lebanese accomplice, Hamza Koudeih, as a landmark achievement in the
sustained fight against internet-related frauds and money laundering in
the country.
Magu said the arrest of Mompha and Hamza by operatives of the EFCC,
bore testimony to the commitment of the Commission to the fight against
internet-related frauds, adding that ” it is also a red alert to
potential fraudsters.”
Speaking during an interactive session with stakeholders at the Lagos
Zonal office of the Commission on Thursday, October 31, 2019, Magu said
actionable intelligence received from local and international law
enforcement agencies had revealed that the suspects, alongside their
collaborators, were high-valued targets in Organized Cyber Syndicate
Network, OCSN.
According to him, “the recent arrests of a social media celebrity,
Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his Lebanese
collaborator, Hamza Koudeih, for their alleged involvement in
internet-related fraud and money laundering remain a landmark
achievement of the EFCC.
“I make bold to tell you that these arrests have further confirmed our
commitment to the anti-graft war, while also sending a red alert to
potential internet fraudsters.
“I am sure you will be greatly shocked to know that five wristwatches
valued at over N60million were recovered from the suspected internet
fraudster, Mompha, at the point of arrest.
“Investigation has also revealed that he operates 51 bank accounts in
Nigeria with which he acquires properties in Dubai and had laundered
about N14billion through a firm known as Ismalob Global Investments
Limited.
“His accomplice, Koudeih, also has two firms namely: THK Services
Limited and CHK properties Limited with which he has allegedly laundered
about N19billion.
“Koudeih lives in a $5million per annum suite at the Eko Atlantic Pearl
Tower, Victoria Island Lagos. ”
The EFCC Chair also stated that the Commission had begun forensic
analysis of the phones, documents and “strange” items recovered from
both suspects.
“They will be charged to court accordingly as soon as investigation is
concluded,” he added.
Magu also emphasized the fact that the Commission, prior to the arrests
of both Mompha and Koudeih, had independently launched intensive
investigative actions against the Internet fraudsters, popularly known
as Yahoo Yahoo Boys, culminating in various strategic raids on their
hideouts.
He further stated that the Commission had embarked on the raids even
before the recently concluded collaborative operation with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, FBI, tagged Operation Rewired- an international
operation targeted at the Business Email Compromise, BEC, suspects
across the world.
Magu added that “From January to date, the Lagos office of EFCC has made
over 300 arrests, secured 207 convictions and recovered a good number of
exotic cars. In addition, several properties suspected to have been
acquired through the proceeds of crime were sealed.”
He, therefore, charged the media to join hands with the Commission in
sensitizing the members of the public about the evil of internet frauds
as well as economic and financial crimes.
Magu, who described media professionals as critical stakeholders in the
anti-graft war, said: “We must collectively strive to achieve the
Nigeria of our dream, one that our children and even generations unborn
will be proud of.
“it is very critical for you to understand that you owe the youths that
social responsibility of awakening their consciousness to the importance
of a noble life devoid of crimes.
“We must continue to mentor our youths and impress it on them to shun
crimes and its alluring temptation because it will always end in sorrow
and regrets.
“For us, there will be no hiding place for fraudsters as the Commission
will hunt and bring any errant and criminally-minded persons to justice.
”
Magu also used the occasion to disclose that the Commission might soon
put in place a policy of rehabilitating convicted internet fraudsters so
that they could deploy “their computer wizardry to good use for the
overall well-being of the society.”
He further disclosed to the stakeholders that the EFCC would commence
the auctioning of recovered items soon, adding that the commission wants
to ensure there is transparency in the process of auctioning the items.
“We have already commenced the process in Port Harcourt, where we will
be auctioning 242 trucks that have been forfeited. We have so many
recovered items that have been forfeited to the Federal Government that
are waiting to be auctioned. The process should be properly coordinated
in compliance with judgment given by the court and that is why we have
taken so much time”.
Magu urged the stakeholders to join the EFCC in the fight against
corruption by using their platform to expose the criminals and not
promote them.