Osondu Victor Igwilo, a suspect wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018 has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The development was confirmed by the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, adding that Igwilo was the alleged leader of a criminal network of “catchers”.
Uwujaren noted that Igwilo was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel and John Anazo Achukwu at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos.
The suspects were accused of fraud, money laundering, and identity theft to the tune of about $100millon.
It was gathered that the suspects allegedly perpetrated a scheme involving false promises of investment funding, impersonating United States bank officials in person and via the internet.
He said, “Investigation revealed that those who fell victims of the suspects’ criminal activities were asked to make certain payments before they could receive their funding.”
A further report had it that the suspects laundered their proceeds through American bank accounts and diverted them to the alleged culprits in Nigeria.
FBI placed Igwilo on a watch list following a criminal complaint filed against him in the U.S. District Court, Houston, Texas, in December 2016.
“Following their arrest, five houses located in choice areas of Lagos were recovered from Igwilo. The suspects will soon be charged to court.”
