The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented to a British national and a victim of internet fraud, Christine Brown, the sum of $26,000.
A statement by EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, in Abuja, said 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.
He said the 70-year-old had petitioned the Commission after being defrauded by an internet fraudster through a romance scam.
According to Uwujaren, “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.”
He noted that the Zonal Commander, Kanu Idagu, while handing over the recovered fund, said the commission would continue to discharge its mandate to the betterment of the society.
“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.
Idagu cautioned the public to be careful in whatever they do online as fraudsters prowl the internet seeking to defraud unsuspecting victims.
