Cyber swindler in police net

A suspected well-known Internet scammer, who dupes his victims, mainly Americans, of millions of naira, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

Plain-clothes policemen attached to Ikeja Division who were on ‘pin-down point’ around Ikeja area arrested Gabriel Edet, a student of the Open University of Nigeria, who brandished exotic cars without any means of livelihood.

Following intelligence received, the Ikeja Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Olasoji, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), ordered officers to investigate the student to unearth his source of sudden wealth.

Edet told The Guardian that he ventured into the cyber-crime through peer pressure. “I actually met a girl online, she told me she needed a lover here in Nigeria. So, I introduced her to a fellow cyber fraudster, who is my friend. It was my friend who swindled the girl and not me, but he gave me my own share out of the money.

“This particular girl we defrauded is from United States of America (USA). They are lonely and they need guys, who can make them happy, so we take advantage of their situation and swindle them.

“I am actually new into cybercrime deal. This is just my third job. I stand as middleman for my friends who are old in the business. My own cut was N2 million, which I used to buy a good car. The second deal, I got N1.7 million and the third venture, I got N400,000. I am new in the game, my friends make bigger money than me.”

Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the arrest noted: “Edet Gabriel of No 5, Jinadu street, off Central Mosque Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos on November 9, 2016 did have in his possession one Toyota Camry Saloon Car, Silver colour with registration number, LND371EJ and could not give a satisfactory account for it.

“Within four months, the suspect received over N10 million through his Gtbank account number without being engaged in legitimate business. The suspect confessed to being a cyber fraudster. We would soon charge him to court.”