Nigerian romance scammer who convinced Aussie to send him $60,000 is caught

Australia
By William

Nigerian scammer, 37, who convinced Aussie to send him $60,000 for elaborate romance scam, is CAPTURED – and will have to pay the money back

  • Nigerian national arrested for romance scam
  • An Australian sent him $60,000

By Brett Lackey for Daily Mail Australia

published: | Updated:

A Nigerian online romance scammer will have to repay his Australian victim $60,000 after his lies finally caught up with him.

Ogenevowero Emefeke, 37, was arrested on May 22 by the Nigeria Police – National Cyber ​​Crimes Center after an international operation involving South Australian police.

Emefeke from the capital Abuja is accused of running a complex scam in which he set up fake online accounts and impersonated famous celebrities.

He then approached his targets through social media and gained their trust over weeks and months by “playing on their emotions to rob them of their resources.”

Nigerian police officers arrested Emefeke after receiving “useful information” from SA police.

Ogenevowero Emefeke, 37, was arrested in May in connection with an elaborate ‘romance scam’

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Australian victim’s money will be returned.

“The suspect openly admitted in a written statement during police interrogation that he committed the 2021 fraud and several others,” said Mr Adejobi.

“Investigations further revealed that the victims are mostly vulnerable men and women desperate for emotional comfort and fame.”

He warned the public to “be cautious in entering into business and relationships with persons whose real identities have not been physically verified.”

Emefeke will be charged upon completion of the investigation.

Australians have lost more than $190 million to online scams this year alone (stock image)

Australians have lost more than $190 million to online scams this year alone (stock image)

Nigeria has long been known as a hotbed for online scammers – especially romance scams and ‘419’ or Nigerian Prince scams.

A 2012 research paper from Microsoft analyzed data and showed that more than half of all email scams that year originated in the country.

But in recent years, other African countries, along with Eastern European and Asian countries, have seen a huge increase in fraudsters seeking to defraud victims with even more bizarre and inconvenient drawbacks.

According to Scamwatch, Australians have lost more than $190 million to scams this year alone.

TYPES OF ONLINE SCAMS

Attempts to obtain your personal information

Scammers use all sorts of sneaky approaches to steal your personal information. Once obtained, they can use your identity to commit fraudulent activities such as using your credit card or opening a bank account.

Buy or sell

Scammers prey on consumers and businesses buying or selling products and services. Not every transaction is legitimate.

Dating & Romance

Scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners, often through dating websites, apps or social media, by posing as potential companions. They play on emotional triggers to get you to provide money, gifts or personal information.

Fake charities

Scammers pose as real charities and ask for donations or contact you claiming to raise money after natural disasters or major events.

Investments

If you’re looking for a quick way to make money, beware: scammers have come up with all sorts of ways to make fake money to prey on your enthusiasm and get their hands on your money.

Jobs & Employment

Jobs and employment scams trick you into handing over your money by offering you a “guaranteed” way to make money quickly or a high-paying job for little effort.

Threats & extortion

Scammers will use any means possible to steal your identity or your money, including false debts, threatening you, or “hijacking” your computer.

Unexpected money

Scammers make up convincing and seemingly legitimate reasons to give you false hopes about money offers. There are no get-rich-quick plans, so always think twice before handing over your data or dollars.

Unexpected profits

Don’t be tempted by a surprise win. These scams try to trick you into giving money or your personal information upfront in order to receive a prize from a lottery or contest that you never entered.

Source: Scam Watch

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