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Man Based in Nigeria Defrauds New York of $30m
Chidozie Collins Obasi, a 29-year-old Nigerian, has been declared wanted and indicted in the United States after defrauding US hospitals of $31 million by offering non-existent COVID-19 ventilators for sale.
According to a statement on the website of the US Justice Department on Friday, Obasi perpetrated this fraud from Nigeria with the help of co-conspirators abroad from September 2018 to June 2020.
Obasi and his accomplices allegedly obtained more than $31,000,000 through a complicated fraud scheme, the majority coming from the State of New York.
“The scheme alleged in the Indictment began in September 2018, with a spam email campaign that offered phony “work from home” jobs. When a person responded to the phony job offer, Obasi or a co-conspirator posed as a representative of a legitimate company, often a supposed medical equipment supplier based outside the United States, and offered the person a job as the company’s U.S. representative with responsibilities including collecting on outstanding invoices,” the statement read.
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“An accomplice in Canada then sent the new ’employee’ counterfeit checks purportedly from customers of the company, and the new ’employee’ deposited the checks, took a commission, and wired the rest of the money to a foreign bank account ostensibly owned by the fake company. Obasi and his co-conspirators obtained more than $1 million in this manner.”
In 2020, Obasi went further to pose as a ventilator salesman for an Indonesian medical supply company.
“In approximately March 2020, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and ventilators were in high demand, Obasi posed as a representative of an Indonesian-based medical supply company offering ventilators for sale, and claimed to have a large stockpile of ventilators manufactured by a German company,” the statement added.
“Obasi allegedly convinced a medical equipment broker in the U.S. to broker sales of these non-existent ventilators, and ultimately deceived the State of New York into wiring more than $30 million for the purchase of ventilators that did not exist.
“He continued to target other potential customers with this same scam, including hospitals.
“Later, in approximately June 2020, Obasi and his accomplices took advantage of the EID Loan programme by using stolen identities of U.S. citizens to apply for and obtain more than $135,000 in EID Loan proceeds.”
According to the indictment sheet, Obasi is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, six counts of mail fraud and 16 counts of wire fraud. He is presently a fugitive, and the United States is seeking to locate and arrest him.
Obasi faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, and a $5,750,000 fine. He would also be required to make full restitution of the more than $31,000,000 that he obtained by fraud.
FIJ
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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.
It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.
A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.
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The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.
“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.
“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”
Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
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IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.
In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.
“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.
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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”
IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.
The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.
“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.
By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
metro
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.
According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.
The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.
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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.
Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
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