The Department of State Services, DSS, Edo State Command, has arrested and paraded two suspected internet fraudsters who it accused of impersonating Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
The suspects: Amos Ehis Asuelimen, 30, a student of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, and Kelvin Ogashi 18, a fashion designer were arrested in different locations in Edo State.
Briefing newsmen in Benin city, the state director of DSS, Brown C. Ekwoaba said the suspects were using the name of the vice president of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and that of the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The Edo DSS boss, who was represented by the deputy director on security and enforcement, Galadima Byangs, said, “the first of the coordinated tactical operation was carried out on 25/July/2019, about 0057 hours, during which one Amos Ehis Asuelimen, 30, a student of the department of Business Administration with Matric No. FMS/BUS/10/01358 of AAU was arrested at Ubiaja town, Esan south-east LGA in connection with a fictitious Facebook account that he created. During interview, the suspect confessed to the crime.
“Relatedly on 26/July/2019, about 0312 hours, one Kelvin Godwin Ogashi, 30, was arrested at old Agbor Road, Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo state, in connection with impersonation of the first lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari”
“Following his arrest, suspect confessed that he created an Instagram account with the name and picture of the wife of the President for the purpose of swindling unsuspecting members of the public. He further confessed to have created the account in May, 2019, with a message that the first lady was empowering Nigerian youths with cash to start up their business and that interested persons were required to register with money. His accomplices (name withheld) are currently at large”
The DSS chief advised Edo youths to always engage in positive productive activities rather than engaging in negative ventures, stressing that the lives and property of law-abiding citizens will always be safe in Edo state.
He promised that the suspects will be charge to court as soon as possible.
Speaking to our correspondent , one of the suspects, Kelvin Ogashi, disclosed that he embraced cyber crime (yahoo yahoo) after several attempts by him to secure capital for his fashion designing store failed.
“I’m a fashion designer, there was no money to start up, that is why I went in yahoo yahoo”
Also, Asuelimen, who is a final year student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, said he only created the Facebook account but was not with the intention of swindling people.
