The Enugu State Police have arrested three individuals, including a long-serving bank employee, who allegedly conspired to steal ₦4 million from a Nigerian living in Australia.
The suspects involved in this fraud are Ifeanyi Nnamani, a bank worker with 17 years of service, Okwudili Ndulaka, 26, and Philip Ozogwu, 44. The police’s investigation and the eventual arrests have shed light on the elaborate steps taken by the suspects to carry out the theft.
The Beginning of the Crime
According to Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Ndulaka, who has confessed to the crime, detailed the series of events leading to the theft. In October 2023, Ndulaka claimed to have found a bag at Nowas Junction in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, containing several personal items, including SIM cards from different telecommunications networks. While the discovery may have seemed incidental at first, Ndulaka would later use the SIM card found in the bag to access a bank account belonging to the victim, John Mba, a Nigerian residing in Australia.
In January 2024, Ndulaka inserted an Airtel SIM card found in the bag into his phone. To his surprise, the SIM card triggered a large credit alert, leading him to suspect that the SIM card was linked to a substantial bank account. This prompted Ndulaka to begin withdrawing money from the account by using USSD banking codes, an act that he thought was easy to carry out without being detected.
Collusion with Bank Employee
However, in September 2024, Ndulaka encountered difficulties accessing the account, as certain security measures appeared to be in place. This led him to visit the Enugu branch of a commercial bank (the name of which has not been disclosed) to seek assistance. It was here that Ndulaka allegedly colluded with Ifeanyi Nnamani, a bank worker who had been employed at the bank for 17 years.
According to police reports, Nnamani advised Ndulaka that the account was flagged with a “Post No Debit” status, which effectively blocked transactions on the account. However, Nnamani suggested a way around this by advising Ndulaka to obtain a court affidavit and modify his National Identification Number (NIN) details to match the account holder’s, John Mba, thereby allowing him to access the funds.
Altering Personal Data
Following this advice, Ndulaka approached Philip Ozogwu, a NIN enrolment agent, to make the necessary alterations to his personal information. Ozogwu, who charged ₦40,000 for his services, agreed to change Ndulaka’s name, date of birth, and other personal details to match those of the legitimate account holder, John Mba. Ozogwu carried out these alterations without raising any questions or suspicions about Ndulaka’s intentions.
With the altered personal details, Nnamani helped Ndulaka to bypass several verification checks, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN), which is a key measure used by Nigerian banks to verify the identity of account holders. By manipulating these verification processes, Nnamani and Ndulaka were able to reactivate the account.
The Fraudulent Withdrawals
Once the account was fraudulently reactivated, Ndulaka wasted no time in withdrawing funds. He initially took out ₦100,000 and gave half of the amount to Nnamani as a payment for his involvement in the crime. Encouraged by the success of his first transaction, Ndulaka withdrew an additional ₦1.5 million. However, this second withdrawal triggered an alert at the bank’s Ohafia branch in Abia State, where the account had originally been opened. This alert ultimately led to the detection of the fraudulent activities and the reporting of the case to the police.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The police were able to arrest the suspects after Ndulaka attempted to make another fraudulent transaction on October 18, 2024. Police operatives from the Central Police Station in Enugu arrested Ndulaka, Nnamani, and Ozogwu, bringing an end to their illicit activities. The statement from the police suggested that Nnamani, the bank worker, had been dismissed from his position following the discovery of his involvement in the crime.
The three suspects were charged with conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and fraud at the Enugu North Magistrate Court. Ndulaka and Nnamani were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre, while Ozogwu, the NIN enrolment agent, was granted bail pending further legal proceedings. The case file was subsequently transmitted to the Attorney-General of Enugu State through the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal advice.
Bank’s Role and Police Response
The police have commended the bank for its prompt response and cooperation in exposing the fraudulent activity. According to the police spokesperson, Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, praised the bank for its vigilance in detecting the unusual transaction and for working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In addition, the police commissioner issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the importance of safeguarding their personal information. He urged citizens to exercise caution in handling sensitive data, particularly when it comes to their bank accounts, National Identification Numbers, and other personal identifiers. The police chief also advised Nigerians to ensure that their devices, which store this crucial information, are properly secured to prevent them from becoming victims of similar crimes.
A Growing Threat to Security
This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threats to financial security in Nigeria, where sophisticated fraud schemes are becoming more prevalent. The involvement of a bank employee and a NIN enrolment agent highlights the need for tighter security measures and more robust monitoring systems within both the banking and telecommunications sectors. The case also underscores the importance of continuous awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on the risks of identity theft and fraud.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the Enugu Police are hopeful that the case will serve as both a cautionary tale and a stepping stone towards strengthening the fight against cybercrime and financial fraud in the country.
