Arrest at Lagos Airport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Osang Otukpa, a Nigerian man accused of defrauding 139 Australians out of $8 million. The arrest took place last Friday at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, as the suspect returned from the United States.
Details of the Scam
Otukpa, known under multiple aliases including Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson, reportedly tricked his victims into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform named “Liquid Asset Group” or LAG. The scam was executed through social media, where he enticed investors with promises of high returns.
Financial Transactions
The funds from this scam were reportedly funneled into various bank accounts belonging to Otukpa through an unnamed international cryptocurrency exchange platform. This method allowed him to obscure the trail of the illicit gains.
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Legal Consequences
According to the EFCC, Otukpa will face charges in court once the investigation is fully concluded. The commission has not disclosed the identity of the cryptocurrency exchange involved to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in combating cybercrime, particularly those involving digital currencies, and underscores the EFCC’s commitment to tackling such sophisticated fraud schemes.
