A 28-year-old internet fraudster voluntarily turned himself in to the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, expressing his intention to renounce cybercrime and embrace a new path. According to the Commission, the suspect, whose name was not disclosed, is a native of Oredo Local Government Area in Edo State.
He reported to the EFCC office in Benin City and was received by the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Effam Okim.In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC revealed that the individual had been involved in a romance scam—a form of cybercrime where perpetrators impersonate foreign nationals to lure victims into fraudulent online relationships.
“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.
Source : https://punchng.com/
