Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly defrauding 139 Australians to the tune of $8 million through a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme.
The suspect was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday.
In a statement released on Friday, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale disclosed that Otukpa employed multiple aliases, including Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson, to scam the victims.
According to Oyewale, the suspect lured his victims on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.
He added that proceeds from the scam were funneled into Otukpa’s bank accounts via a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.
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The statement reads: “Operatives of EFCC have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $AUD8,000,000.
“He was picked up in a stakeout at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024.
“Otukpa, who goes by five aliases—Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson—scammed the victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.
“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.”
Oyewale further stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the process.
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