28-year-old fraudster surrenders to EFCC, confesses to romance scams

A 28-year-old internet fraudster voluntarily surrendered himself to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, declaring his desire to abandon cybercrime and turn over a new leaf.

The suspect, whose identity was withheld by the Commission, hails from Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

He walked into the EFCC’s office in Benin City and turned himself in to the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Effam Okim.

In a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, the Commission disclosed that the suspect was involved in a romance scam, a variant of internet fraud where he impersonated foreign nationals to deceive victims into fake love relationships online.

“I tell my victims that I am from China and that I work as a medical doctor in a war-torn country,” the suspect confessed.

“My victims are foreigners, who I deceive into love relationships. I communicate with them in Chinese using a mobile app translator. I profess love for them by telling them how beautiful and attractive they are.”

He said his decision to surrender stemmed from a deep sense of fear and the need for personal transformation.

“I reported myself because I wanted to stop and turn a new leaf,” he told investigators.

The EFCC described the suspect’s action as “rare and commendable” and emphasised that his voluntary submission underscores the increasing public awareness about the consequences of cybercrime and the EFCC’s relentless pursuit of offenders.

“The suspect, now in custody, will undergo further profiling, and appropriate actions will be taken in line with the Commission’s operational procedures,” the statement added.

The EFCC also used the opportunity to call on other individuals engaged in fraudulent practices to emulate the 28-year-old and seek redemption.

“This case presents a unique instance of self-accountability and offers hope that some youths are beginning to realise the futility and dangers of internet fraud,” the Commission stated.

The suspect has since provided a written statement to the EFCC and expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the agency’s investigation.