Gabriel Onyeka, a Nigerian national residing in India, has been arrested by Indian authorities for allegedly defrauding an Indian businessman of approximately ₹1.25 crore (around N250 million) through an online scam. The arrest took place at Onyeka’s residence in Kalyan, Maharashtra. According to police reports, Onyeka posed as a senior executive from a reputable pharmaceutical company and convinced the victim to invest in Plukenetia volubilis, an Ayurvedic product. He offered the businessman a dealership and lucrative orders, persuading him to buy samples from a fake supplier controlled by Onyeka. After the initial purchase, individuals claiming to be quality control agents pressured the businessman to make additional payments, promising high returns. This led to a total loss of ₹1.25 crore. Authorities traced Onyeka using the mobile number he used during the scam. During the arrest, police recovered four mobile phones, one containing a WhatsApp screenshot linking Onyeka directly to the fraud. Further investigations revealed Onyeka had been living in India illegally since 2012, having overstayed his medical visa. He was previously booked for visa overstay by Mumbai Police. Indian police are continuing investigations to identify other members of the syndicate. Onyeka and his accomplice are set to be arraigned before an Indian High Court. Experts warn that scams often prey on individuals seeking quick profits and urge caution in online business transactions.
EFCC arrests 120 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos, seizes 26 exotic cars
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 120 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos, including 95 men and 25 women, following a coordinated operation on May 19, 2025. The arrests came after credible intelligence and surveillance linked the suspects to internet-related fraud activities. During the operation, EFCC operatives seized 26 exotic cars, expensive jewelry, smartphones, laptops, and several incriminating documents. The suspects are currently under further investigation and will be arraigned in court once the probe is complete. Earlier this year, the commission arrested 133 individuals connected to a Ponzi Scheme Academy in Abuja and 28 alleged Ponzi scheme operators in Minna, Niger State. These actions follow the passage of the Investments and Securities Repeal and Re-enactment Bill, 2024, which imposes harsher penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines, for operators of Ponzi schemes and related fraudulent activities.
Blum co-founder Vladimir Smerkis arrested in Moscow on fraud charges
Vladimir Smerkis, co-founder of the Telegram-based cryptocurrency project Blum and former head of Binance’s CIS division, was arrested in Moscow on suspicion of large-scale fraud, Russian state media outlet TASS reports. The Zamoskvoretsky District Court approved his detention as the investigation proceeds under Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses fraud and carries potential prison terms of two to 12 years. The allegations relate to Smerkis’ previous ventures, The Token Fund and Tokenbox, rather than his work with Blum. These companies, founded in 2017, are accused of causing investor losses totaling around $15 million, sparking speculation about a possible exit scam. Following the arrest, Blum quickly announced Smerkis’ resignation as Chief Marketing Officer and confirmed he is no longer involved with the project. The team reassured users that daily operations would continue unaffected and reaffirmed their commitment to the project’s roadmap, including plans for a decentralized exchange and reward-based games. Blum’s community, which grew rapidly amid the 2024 tap-to-earn trend, has expressed mixed reactions. The project’s popular “Drop Game” allowed users to earn points convertible into BLUM tokens, but delays in the token generation event (TGE) and Smerkis’ arrest have raised doubts about the airdrop’s future. Industry experts emphasize that transparency and regulatory compliance will be crucial for Blum and similar projects to maintain trust and growth in the evolving crypto market.
EFCC raises alarm over rising youth involvement in cybercrime
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a warning about the growing number of Nigerian youths turning to fraudulent online activities in pursuit of fast wealth. The agency sounded the alarm during a seminar in Lagos, highlighting the risks and urging young people to choose integrity over illegal gains. Ahmed Ghali, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Directorate 2, addressed stakeholders at a Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) event themed “The Role of the Boy Child in Community Development and Safety.” Ghali expressed concern that many young Nigerians are jeopardizing their futures by engaging in internet fraud and other cybercrimes. “Many youths are not only amoral but have also become lost in the rat race for unearned riches through fraudulent online activities,” Ghali said. He stressed that while the internet can be a tool for financial empowerment and community development, using it for criminal purposes harms both victims and the perpetrators themselves. Ghali urged young people to redirect their energy and creativity toward legitimate online income streams. “If you use the internet wisely, it can elevate you financially and enable you to contribute to your community’s development. However, if you choose to use the internet for criminal purposes, you won’t just harm your unsuspecting victims, but you’ll also jeopardize your own personal goals,” he added. Prince Samuel Olaoluwa Akintoye, Chairman of the PCRC’s Bode Thomas Division, said the initiative aims to nurture a generation of responsible, ethical, and patriotic young Nigerians. He emphasized the importance of guiding youths to navigate the complex path to achieving their dreams while contributing positively to society. The EFCC’s warning comes amid rising concerns about the dangers associated with internet fraud. The agency recently reported that some cybercriminals have escalated their activities to include armed robbery, kidnapping, and ritual killings. These developments, the EFCC says, pose increasing threats to public safety. Earlier this year, the commission mourned the loss of Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Harisu, who was killed while tracking a suspected internet fraudster. The EFCC reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime and called on the public to reject the notion that so-called “Yahoo boys and girls” are harmless.
Delta hotel manager confesses to murder of 22-year-old PoS operator
A hotel manager in Delta State has confessed to the shocking murder of a 22-year-old Point-of-Sale (PoS) operator, Onoriode Bethel, who was reported missing in December 2024. The suspect, identified as Iboirode, managed Century Home Hotel in Owehlogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area. According to the Delta State Police Command, Iboirode lured Bethel into the hotel under the pretense of resolving a financial dispute. He then killed her and secretly buried her body within the hotel compound. Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest and provided details of the investigation. “The suspect murdered Bethel and buried her body on the hotel premises,” Edafe stated. Police investigations revealed that the motive for the killing was revenge. Bethel had previously accused Iboirode of using a fake bank alert to fraudulently withdraw ₦10,000 from her account. Although she managed to recover the money, the suspect reportedly felt his reputation had been tarnished by the incident. In a further disturbing twist, the suspect’s wife admitted to knowing about the crime. She told police, “My husband called her into the hotel; she is a friend of his. That day, he called her on the phone and took her into a room. I don’t know how he killed her because I was in our room. It was when he came out around midnight that he told me he had killed her.” After the murder, Iboirode used Bethel’s mobile phone to contact her father and demand a ransom. He also accessed her PoS device, coercing her for the password before killing her and withdrawing money from her account. Bethel’s disappearance on December 13, 2024, sparked concern in the community. The case gained renewed attention in March 2025, when Iboirode and other hotel staff were arrested over an unrelated murder at the same hotel. Police say the investigation is ongoing and have assured the public that justice will be served. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Delta community, with residents calling for swift prosecution and better security measures for young business operators.
EFCC removes foreign national Elie Bitar from CBEX crypto fraud wanted list
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially removed Elie Bitar, a foreign national and former suspect in the Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) fraud case, from its wanted list. This development follows new information that cleared Bitar of involvement in the alleged cryptocurrency scam. Bitar, who was previously declared wanted in connection with the CBEX fraud investigation, had his profile deleted from the EFCC’s website. The commission stated that the fresh evidence did not support his inclusion among the wanted persons. CBEX Solutions Ltd., the company linked to Bitar, reportedly operated legitimately between 2018 and 2020 and was not part of the fraudulent activities under investigation. The EFCC continues to pursue eight other suspects believed to be involved in the CBEX collapse, working closely with international law enforcement agencies to track and apprehend them. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to bringing all perpetrators of the scam to justice. This case stems from a Federal High Court order for the arrest of promoters of the now-defunct CBEX platform, which allegedly defrauded Nigerian investors of approximately $1 billion through a cryptocurrency investment scheme. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale has pledged to recover the lost funds and ensure accountability for all involved.