Hold up, folks! A major fraud ring has been busted in Lagos, and the details are wild! Two suspects, allegedly international fraudsters, were caught red-handed forging foreign certificates. And get this – they tried to bribe their way out with a staggering N66 million! But guess what? The police weren’t having any of it. Here’s a breakdown of the madness:
- Massive Fraud Operation: Suspects specialized in creating fake foreign certificates.
- Bribe Fail: A N66 million bribe was offered and rejected by the police.
- Lavish Lifestyle: Fraud proceeds funded exotic cars and mansions.
- Global Reach: Suspects were receiving information from Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Arrest: How it All Went Down
The Zone-2 Police Command in Lagos, led by AIG Adegoke Fayaode, confirmed that two individuals, identified as Elvis (23) and Kelly (24), were taken into custody. These guys weren’t small-time crooks; they were allegedly running a sophisticated operation, churning out fake certificates from various nations and African universities. They were reportedly selling these forged documents online to unsuspecting victims.
The police were tipped off by Nigerians living abroad. This sparked an investigation, which led detectives to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where they waited for the suspects to arrive. The officers then tailed the two to a five-star hotel in the upscale Osapa-London area of Lekki. Just as they tried to make a sneaky getaway from the hotel, the police swooped in and arrested them.
The Evidence: What They Found
A search of the suspects’ luggage revealed some pretty damning evidence. Among the items seized were a forged certificate from Blue Crest College, Ghana (belonging to Elvis), a student ID card from Academic City College (belonging to Kelly), an academic transcript from Blue Crest University, a letter of English proficiency, and a letter of recommendation – all from the same Blue Crest College. It’s clear these guys were running a pretty well-oiled forgery machine. These documents are often used for employment or to gain admission to higher education. The suspects confessed to having no legitimate connection to these institutions, claiming they obtained them through a Nigerian woman residing in Ghana. They had paid 26,000 Ghana Cedis for the lot.
The Bribe Attempt: A Shocking Turn
As if forging documents wasn’t enough, the suspects also decided to take the next step of trying to bribe their way out of trouble. They allegedly offered the police a whopping N66 million to set them free. This wasn’t just a small offer, this was a testament to the desperation these guys were feeling, and a huge sum of money. The police, who previously had rejected a 174 million naira bribe in November, turned it down outright and instead, collected it as evidence.
Online Scams: Not Just Certificates
It wasn’t just about the fake certificates either. These two were also allegedly knee-deep in online romance scams. They used a fake profile, posing as an American soldier named Captain Donald Rowe, on Instagram to trick people. They were also providing foreign bank accounts for online fraudsters, using a method they called ‘Facebook bombing’.
The Aftermath: What’s Next?
The Nigerian Police have reached out to the Ghanaian embassy for more information. They are also working with Interpol to apprehend other accomplices that may be out there. This operation highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling these types of crimes.
This is a wake-up call, isn’t it? Fraud is on the rise, but the police are actively taking it down. Remember to always do your due diligence and check official websites. This also highlights the importance of local citizens reporting suspicious activities to the police. Stay vigilant, and keep your money close!
