The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a significant step in combating international cybercrime, collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to return stolen funds to a US victim.
On Friday, $22,000 was officially handed over to the FBI in Lagos, marking the successful culmination of a joint effort. The funds were recovered from Hakeem Olanrewaju, a convicted internet fraudster, following his sentencing for identity theft and impersonation.
The saga began with Hakeem Olanrewaju, a convicted internet fraudster, who preyed on unsuspecting victims through identity theft and impersonation. Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos found Olanrewaju guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment in August 2023. Crucially, the court also ordered the recovered sum of $22,000, seized from Olanrewaju, to be returned to the defrauded party in the United States.
Handover Ceremony and Agency Commitments:
The official handover ceremony took place in Lagos on Friday. Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, released a statement on Saturday detailing the event. Michael Wetkas, acting Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Command, emphasized the commission’s unwavering commitment to combating cybercrime and restoring financial security. Wetkas stated, “We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime today. The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more” in the fight against online fraud.
FBI Applauds Cooperation and Importance of Case:
Charles Smith, FBI Legal Attaché, represented the US agency at the ceremony. He commended the collaborative efforts between the EFCC and FBI, highlighting the effectiveness of their partnership. Smith specifically noted, “The EFCC and the FBI work collaboratively together, and it is thanks to the EFCC that we can recover funds of this nature, especially from Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams.”
BEC scams are a prevalent form of cybercrime where attackers impersonate legitimate businesses to defraud victims via email. Smith stressed the impact of such scams, stating, “This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified.”
Looking Forward: A Strengthened Partnership:
The FBI representative expressed a desire to further solidify the partnership between the two agencies. He concluded by stating, “We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If there’s anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so. We appreciate this on behalf of the FBI and thank the EFCC.”
