The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects, including a banker, for allegedly conspiring to defraud a customer of N4m through identity theft.
The suspects, identified as Ndulaka Okwudili, Ifeanyi Nnamani, a former bank employee, and Philip Ozogwu, a National Identification Number enrolment agent, were apprehended on October 18, 2024.
In a statement on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed that the suspects used the identity of an Australia-based Nigerian, Mba Ndukwe, to perpetrate the fraud.
According to the statement, Okwudili admitted to finding a bag containing various personal items, including SIM cards, at Nowas Junction, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in October 2023.
“In January 2024, Okwudili inserted an Airtel SIM card from the bag into his phone and received a substantial credit alert. This prompted him and others still at large to begin withdrawing funds from the victim’s account using USSD banking codes,” the statement said.
The statement added that by September 2024, when Okwudili encountered challenges accessing the account, he visited a branch of the victim’s bank.
There, he allegedly conspired with Nnamani, who had worked at the bank for 17 years. Nnamani informed him that the account had been placed on a “Post No Debit” status and advised him to obtain a court affidavit and alter his NIN details to match those of the account holder.
Okwudili reportedly enlisted the services of Ozogwu, who unlawfully modified his NIN details—including his name and date of birth—to align with those of the victim.
He reportedly paid Ozogwu N40,000 for the service.
The statement added, “Using the fraudulent NIN, Nnamani reactivated the account and bypassed verification checks, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN). Okwudili subsequently withdrew N100,000, giving Nnamani N50,000 as a ‘reward’ for his role.
“Further withdrawals totaling N1.5 million triggered an alert at the bank’s Ohafia, Abia State, branch, where the account was originally opened. This led to the discovery of the fraud and a report to the police by the bank’s Enugu branch.”
The police arrested Okwudili and Nnamani during another attempted transaction on October 18, while Ozogwu was later apprehended.
The suspects were charged with conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and fraud before the Enugu North Magistrate Court. The court ordered the remand of Okwudili and Nnamani at the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, while Ozogwu was granted bail pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, lauded the bank’s efforts in uncovering the fraudulent activities.
He urged members of the public to safeguard their personal information and devices containing sensitive data to avoid falling victim to similar crimes.
(PUNCH)