Nigerian Arrested for Allegedly Defrauding 139 Australians of $8 Million
Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a Nigerian man for allegedly defrauding 139 Australians of a total of 8 million Australian dollars ($AUD).
The suspect, Osen Usie Otukpa, was apprehended at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on December 6, 2024, following his return from the United States. According to a statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the arrest was made during a stakeout at the airport.
Otukpa, who is believed to have used five different aliases—including Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson—reportedly lured victims via social media to invest in his fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform called Liquid Asset Group (LAG). The scam is said to have funneled millions of dollars into his bank accounts through cryptocurrency transactions.
The EFCC has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and Otukpa will face charges in court once they are concluded.