Cyber Fraud Bust: EFCC Arrests International Scammer
139 Australians Allegedly Defrauded of $8 Million in Sophisticated Crypto Scheme
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully apprehended a suspected international cybercriminal, Osang Otukpa, who allegedly orchestrated a massive fraud operation targeting Australian investors. The arrest, which took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, marks a major breakthrough in combating transnational online financial crimes.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the suspect was intercepted upon his return from the United States on December 6th, concluding a complex investigation into a widespread financial fraud scheme. Otukpa is accused of operating under multiple aliases, including Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson, which allowed him to evade detection and manipulate potential victims.
The fraudster allegedly employed a sophisticated social media strategy to lure 139 Australian victims into investing in a fake cryptocurrency platform called Liquid Asset Group (LAG). By creating a seemingly legitimate investment opportunity, Otukpa is said to have siphoned approximately eight million Australian dollars through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.
The EFCC has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect will be formally charged in court once the evidence has been thoroughly compiled.
