SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Special Report: A Victim’s Story Of Imprisonment By A Scammer In Nigeria
The ‘Yahoo Boy’ Who Kidnapped & Held Prisoner An American Woman In Lagos For Over 1 Year After Luring Her To Nigeria
The police said the American was confined against her wish in a hotel in Lagos by one Chukwuebuka Obiaku, a suspected fraudster that “extorted her of about $48,000”.
Nigerian Police officers have rescued a citizen of the United States of America who was confined to a Lagos hotel against her wish for over one year.
The victim, who came from Washington D.C. arrived in Nigeria on February 13, 2019, on a visit to 34-year-old Chukwuebuka Obiaku, a native of Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, whom she met on Facebook.
The retired civil servant victim reportedly lost about N18.5m (U.S. $48,000.00) to Obiaku, who allegedly took control of her credit and debit cards, as well as the operation of her bank accounts.
The suspect also allegedly took receipt of the American’s monthly retirement benefits and allowances for 15 months.
This is happening a few weeks after the police similarly rescued a Filipino woman, who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, investigations show that Obiaku, a graduate of Business Administration and Management, is an Internet fraudster who has defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public, both locally and internationally.
Obiaku allegedly lured the victim into the country on the pretext of love and deceitfully married her on May 15, 2019.
“He subsequently held her captive in a hotel, extorted from her money amounting to a total of $48,000. He also forcefully collected and took control of her credit and debit cards, as well as the operation of her bank accounts, including the receipt of her monthly retirement benefits and allowances over the period of 15 months,” the police said.
The statement disclosed that the suspect also used the victim as a front to defraud her associates and other foreign personalities and companies.
“Investigations reveal that the suspect, Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku is a graduate of Business Administration and Management and an internet fraudster who has defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public both locally and internationally.”
The unidentified victim was reportedly rescued by police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team, Ogun State annex, following information received from a Nigerian in the Meiran area of Lagos State.
“Chukwuebuka deliberately lured the victim into the country under the pretext of love and deceitfully married her on 15th May, 2019. He subsequently held her captive in a hotel, extorted from her monies amounting to a total of 48,000-USD.
“He also forcefully collected and took control of her credit and debit cards as well as the operation of her bank accounts including the receipt of her monthly retirement benefits and allowances over the period of fifteen (15) months.”
Additionally, the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, has also arrested three additional suspects related to this:
- Samson Inegbenesun, 30
- Blessed Junior, 32
- Muhammed Zakari, 36
All from Uromi in Edo State, for cybercrime-related offenses, including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.
The suspects were arrested in Uromi following investigations into suspected fraudulent online procurement and supply of COVID-19 protective masks, received through the INTERPOL NCB Wiesbaden, Germany.
According to police investigation unit “Inegbenosun is an Internet fraudster and a member of a Turkey-based online scam syndicate” (cartel).
The police said he supplied foreign and local bank accounts to receive fraudulent funds and used the same as a conduit to other feeder accounts.
“The police have seized from him an apartment worth N20m, a Toyota RAV-4 2015 model worth N6.5m and a Toyota Matrix 2002 model valued at N2m, which he procured with the proceeds of the crime” the Force spokesman explained in a statement.
The second suspect, Junior, was said to have returned to Nigeria from Italy in February 2020 but maintained contact with his Italian associates. Police investigations revealed that he had made over N120m from Internet fraud and other cybercrime dealings. He was found to have also received the sum of €52,000 recently from his criminal associates in Italy, as commission for his alleged involvement in an international cybercrime deal. He owns a gas filling station purchased with the proceeds of these crimes.
The police disclosed that Zakari, an expert in Internet fraud, identity theft and impersonation, falsely claimed to be a British citizen and also posed as Kelly Galk on online dating apps, which he used in carrying out romance scams and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
“Investigation reveals he has made millions of naira from his illicit cybercrime transactions since he joined the Turkish syndicate. All the suspects will be prosecuted in line with the Cybercrime Prevention/Prohibition Act, 2015,” Mba stated.
We Have Said It Before!
Don’t go to Africa to meet a stranger that you only met online!
This woman could easily have been killed and no one would have ever known what happened to her.
“People have to be more aware of the risks” says SCARS Chairman Dr. McGuinness. “Once you are on their turf, anything can happen, and there is no one to come and save you!”
In this case, it was chance that led the police to find and rescue this woman. Don’t be the next statistic!
TAGS: SCARS, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Imprisonment, Kidnapping, Held Hostage, Trapped In Nigeria, Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku, Nigerian Scammer, Yahoo Boys, Scammers Arrested
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If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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