The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three individuals, including a banker, for allegedly trying to swindle a customer of N4 million via identity theft.
The suspects, named Ndulaka Okwudili, Ifeanyi Nnamani, a former bank employee, and Philip Ozogwu, a National Identification Number enrollment agent, were caught on October 18, 2024.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said that the suspects perpetrated the scam using the name of an Australian-based Nigerian, Mba Ndukwe.
According to the statement, Okwudili acknowledged discovering a bag containing personal things, including SIM cards, near Nowas Junction, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in October 2023.
“In January 2024, Okwudili inserted an Airtel SIM card from the bag into his phone and received a substantial credit alert. This prompted him and others still at large to begin withdrawing funds from the victim’s account using USSD banking codes,” the statement said.
The statement added that by September 2024, when Okwudili encountered challenges accessing the account, he visited a branch of the victim’s bank.
There, he allegedly conspired with Nnamani, who had worked at the bank for 17 years. Nnamani informed him that the account had been placed on a “Post No Debit” status and advised him to obtain a court affidavit and alter his NIN details to match those of the account holder.
Okwudili reportedly hired Ozogwu, who illegally altered his NIN details—including his name and date of birth—to match those of the victim.
He allegedly paid Ozogwu N40,000 for his services.
The statement said, “Using the fraudulent NIN, Nnamani reactivated the account and bypassed verification checks, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN).” Okwudili then withdrew N100,000 and gave Nnamani N50,000 as a reward for his involvement.
“Further withdrawals totaling N1.5 million sparked an alarm at the bank’s Ohafia, Abia State, branch, where the account was first created. This resulted in the scam being discovered and reported to the police by the bank’s Enugu branch.
On October 18, police detained Okwudili and Nnamani during another attempted deal, while Ozogwu was apprehended later.
The accused were charged with conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and fraud at the Enugu North Magistrate’s Court. The court ordered the remand of Okwudili, and Nnamani at the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, while Ozogwu was granted bail pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, lauded the bank’s efforts in uncovering the fraudulent activities.
