Operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested two suspected online fraudsters, Michael Onyedikachi and Akachukwu Benedict, for defrauding a Canada-based Nigerian, Sandra Austin, of N150 million.
The scammers, both aged 29, were arrested in Enugu, after a lengthy investigation. According to the police, Onyedikachi initially contacted Sandra on Facebook in February 2022, posing as “Engineer Desmond Chibuike Okechukwu.” He convinced Sandra to send money for the construction of a house in Lagos.
The scam escalated when Onyedikachi moved the conversation to WhatsApp and sent Sandra photos of luxurious homes in upscale areas like Ajah, Lagos. He told her that purchasing and developing one of these properties would cost her N150 million. Trusting his claims, Sandra began transferring large sums to the provided bank account, eventually sending a total of N110 million by February 2024.
However, after making a final payment of N30 million, Sandra was abruptly blocked from all communication channels. This shock caused her blood pressure to spike, leading to a hospitalization. Determined to seek justice, Sandra contacted her family in Nigeria, who then reported the matter to the authorities.
The police investigation led to the arrest of Onyedikachi on August 14, 2024, in his home in Enugu, where he lived off his illicit earnings. During his interrogation, Onyedikachi admitted to running the “Engineer Desmond” account and using downloaded construction project images to deceive Sandra. He also revealed that he had spent eight months in Accra, Ghana, learning online fraud techniques.
Onyedikachi’s arrest led to the capture of his accomplice, Akachukwu Benedict, on August 16, 2024. Benedict, who had booked a lavish hotel suite for a year, confessed to introducing Onyedikachi to online fraud in 2022. He also admitted to previous scams, including a 2021 fraud in which he swindled $600 from an American woman named Molissa.
The suspects disclosed their methods to the police, explaining that they acquired phone numbers through a dealer who specialized in cloned SIM cards. They also processed payments through cryptocurrency wallets to avoid detection and used social engineering tactics to manipulate victims.
Police have recovered several items linked to the fraud, including a Toyota Corolla, land documents, laptops, and phones. The investigation continues as authorities work to bring the remaining individuals involved in the scam to justice.
