A suspected fraudster, Chinedu Ezeona, was paraded before journalists on Friday at the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a woman of N4.9m.

PUNCH Metro had reported on May 9, 2012, that the SFU arrested the suspect and paraded him before journalists for allegedly defrauding a woman of N2.5m after posing as a senior employee of the United States embassy.

Ezeona was later arraigned at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court and granted bail. But he was re-arrested for allegedly defrauding another woman of N4.9m.

One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, said Ezeona told her that he was an employee of the US Embassy and offered to assist her in procuring an American Visa.

She said he gave her a US Embassy complimentary card with designation, Senior System Analyst Visa Section, and the name ‘David Obiora Aniekwe’ was written on it.

She said she wanted to procure a visa for the purpose of visit but the suspect told her that she should apply for a student visa as it was easier to get.

She alleged that the suspect collected various sums of money at different times and presented bank tellers as proof.

The victim said she became suspicious of Ezeonna as he continued to give her excuses and demanded more money.

 “When the whole thing became too complicated, I asked him to return my money because he kept on extorting me. The suspect later stopped picking up my calls but luckily for me, I had recorded all our conversations and I gave all evidence to the police. I never knew he was a fraudster because he seemed very convincing initially,” she said.

Another victim, Mr. Ben Obi, said Ezeona duped him of N540, 000, which he paid into his bank account.

Obi said, “He said it would cost me $3,500 and he would help procure admission into University of Atlanta. I paid in the naira equivalent, N540, 000 into Ezeonna’s bank accounts. He however asked me for more money and I refused to give him the money. So, we lost contact.

“Months later, I was in Brazil when I read on The PUNCH website that the suspect had been arrested. Surprisingly, it was the same method he used in defrauding others. I immediately came down to SFU to report the case.”

The suspect however denied the allegation, saying he was framed.

He said, “I had a problem with my ex-girlfriend some months ago and she sent her daughter to frame me up by giving me money for visa procurement. I don’t work with the US Embassy and the business card does not belong to me.”

The Commissioner of Police, SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said Ezeona was a member of a syndicate that specialised in defrauding visa applicants.

Ogunsakin said after Ezeona was arrested and paraded before journalists, many victims had come forward to report how they were duped by him.

He said, “In this recent case, he successfully, with the connivance of Mr. Obioma Agu of Obitex Cosmetic Ventures and one Mr. Sam Ufomadu, duped the victim of N4.9m and also hacked into foreign phone numbers and used them to contact the victim.

“Apart from using a fake US embassy business card, he also drives around in different cars with diplomatic number plates.”

http://www.punchng.com/metro/man-on-bail-dupes-visa-applicant-of-n4-9m/

God save Nigeria

You have 4.5m and still wants to go to ''Amirika"". Haba my people, haba

nigeria we hail thee!

As dumb as Mallam Sule!!!!

chamber2: You have 4.5m and still wants to go to ''Amirika"". Haba my people, haba

Yeah, they believe "dollas" flow like water on the streets of "Amirika".

More and more reasons why I like/dislike my 9ja, Nigeria is a country where all the unimaginable are possible "if you can think about it, you can do it"

biafrans we hail thee

Ezeona was later arraigned at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court and granted bail
Our judiciary should be wary of granting bail to a suspect.

My people suffer because they lack WISDOM,KNOWLEGDE and UNDERSTANDING.

The victims were the architect of their own misfortune,what do they need American visas for when they have such amount of money in their bank accounts.
Its sad how people reason in this part of the world,but that Ezeonna guy tough oooo.

What does someone with 2.4 million or 4.9 million naira be wanting to travel abroad for student or other visa forms for, can't they do a solid business with the money here and only travel for holidays? Because from what I understand, he was giving them option of visa types.
When they are not going for tourism that they may need travel agency, is it legal to even give embassy official money to procure visa for them and won't the testimony of the victim too implicate him or her too.

i cant laff....... Anytime pple get duped like this ...i jst imagine .... Cnt u use ur money 4 betta tinz ... Dem won go obodo oyinbo ... Lwtmb

IF ONE FAMILY MEMBER DON GO MET THE WOMAN TO GIVE HER MONEY SHE GO TALK SAY SHE NO GET COS SHE ONE GO AMERICA GOD CASH AM

sdiq: IF ONE FAMILY MEMBER DON GO MET THE WOMAN TO GIVE HER MONEY SHE GO TALK SAY SHE NO GET COS SHE ONE GO AMERICA GOD CASH AM

LOLZ

Just wondering what kind of story you will tell me that will make me give you 4.5 million naira. Impossible.

Such people deserve to be duped.

I always Get Marveled with Stories.. Diz showz How People are talented to scam others In NaiJa... Anyway I still Hail diz Great Country of OUrs

sonyjacobs: Ezeona was later arraigned at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court and granted bail
Our judiciary should be wary of granting bail to a suspect.

If the crime alleged is bailable, the Judge/Magistrate is under an obligation to grant bail once the bail conditions are met. Bail is not granted based on the whims of an individual judge, it is based on what the law prescribes. Let us leave the blame where it belongs - at the door steps of your fraudulent country men.

[quote author=teminoni]Just wondering what kind of story you will tell me that will make me give you 4.5 million naira. Impossible.

my thought also

the guy even drives around in cars with diplomat numbers... Mehn, James Bond type of stories. I wonder. and the Almighty Nigerian Police and V.I.O officials see him everyday and they salute.

Nigerians are TERRIBLE - ibo yoruba hausa edo ijaw fulani ebira igala kanuri berom urohobo nupe efik etc- they are ALL dangerous.

Smart a*se in his mind.

Victims have no case.
There should be no mercy for UTTER stupidity.

They want visa sharp sharp under a day and think their money can solve all things including bribing an "embassy official".

Culprit, get a good lawyer and win your freedom but WATCH your back.