EFCC arrests Nigerian accused of defrauding 139 Australians

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $8,000,000.

Otukpa was arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024.

A statement signed on Friday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said Otukpa used five names which are Ford Thompson, Oscar Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson, to scam the victims.

He added that the suspect lured his victims on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.

Oyewale said, “Operatives of EFCC have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $AUD8,000,000.

“He was picked up in a stake out at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024.

“Otukpa, who goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson scammed the victims by luring them on the social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.

“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.”

Oyewale said the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.