- EFCC refunds British woman her $26,000 defrauded by her supposed American lover
- An internet fraudster had posed as an American entertainer and scammed a 70 year old British woman
- EFCC warns the general public to be careful of every online transactions
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has displayed an exemplary integrity as they recently returned a whopping sum of $26,000 to a 70-year-old British woman who had fallen victim to a heart-wrenching romance scam perpetuated by her Nigerian lover.
According to a statement released by the commission on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, The Briton, identified as Christine Brown, was defrauded of her life savings by an online fraudster posing as an American entertainer after she became emotionally linked with him.
On Monday, August 28, the Benin Zonal Command of the commission gave Ms. Brown a check for $26,000.
“Brown expressed gratitude to the Commission for its efforts which she said, has brought some succour to her after losing her life’s savings to the fraudsters,” the statement read.
“The 70-year-old had petitioned the Commission after being defrauded by an internet fraudster through a romance scam. Narrating her ordeal, Brown said she became a victim after she met a purported John Barrowman, an entertainer and citizen of America online.
“Unknown to her, he was a fraudster. Brown said they became romantically involved, and the fraudster began to demand money which she sent to him through wire transfers, Bitcoin, and gift cards,”
The Zonal Commander, Kanu Idagu, said the Commission will continue to carry out its duty for the benefit of society as he handed over the recovered funds.
He warned people to exercise caution in all of their online dealings as scammers roam the internet looking to defraud gullible victims.
“We are doing a whole lot in ensuring that victims of fraud are restituted where possible, and we will continue to do more,” he said.
In another story, EFCC nabs suspected fraudster after disguising as woman to evade arrest
This development was made known via a statement issued by the EFCC’s spokesman Wilson Uwujaren on May 10th 2023.
Items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Camry 2005 model, a Toyota Camry 2009 model, mobile phones and laptop computers.