EFCC arrests ‘Yahoo boy’, pastor over N12.7m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it had arrested a suspected one Adebayo Olawale suspected to be a Yahoo boy and his pastor, Gbenga Adesoju for allegedly defrauding Umar Hayatu of Lafiya Quarters in the Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State to the tune of N12.7m.

The suspects were arrested in Ile-Ife, Osun State, following a petition written by the relatives of the victim.

Olawale and Adesoju were said to have conspired and defrauded their victim via social media platforms and phone calls under the pretence that he won a car, some expensive phones and employment into a top position.

A statement on Saturday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “Adebayo, the prime suspect, contacted the victim several times, using fake Facebook account names; Williams Angellina and Omolola Adebayo and deceived the victim into believing that his parents have a company abroad and will make him (victim) the Nigerian manager of the company at Lagos.

“The suspect further sent the victim various fake pictures of houses and cars that would be given to him as fringe benefits as soon as the company commences operation. He also promised him $30,000 and expensive gifts such as iPhone and jewellery.”

A preliminary investigation into the case indicated that the sum of N12,798, 387.00, being the proceeds of the fraud, was traced to the suspect’s bank account, it stated.

The suspected pastor was also said to have received a BMW car, a plot of land and various sums of money from the proceeds of crime for his spiritual intervention.

The EFCC said the suspects had given useful information and would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.