Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Directorate, have arrested a suspected fraudster, Osagie Destiny Etinosa, over an alleged N11 million scam.
The anti-graft agency said the suspect was apprehended through open source intelligence after allegedly posing as a football agent on Instagram, where he operated under the handle @officialking_etto.
According to the EFCC, Etinosa presented himself as an intermediary who facilitates opportunities for footballers to secure trials and contracts with foreign clubs.
In one reported case, the suspect allegedly collected N11,000,000 from a victim, Samuel Beke Ohazuruike, with a promise to arrange trials for him in clubs based in Romania and Bulgaria. The commission said the promised opportunities never materialised.
The EFCC added that all attempts by the victim to recover his money were unsuccessful.
“The suspect, who was arrested through an open source intelligence, had been parading himself on Instagram account @officialking_etto as a football agent who specialises in linking footballers with foreign clubs for trials and recruitment,” the commission stated.
“In one instant case, Etinosa allegedly collected the sum of N11,000,000 from one Samuel Beke Ohazuruike with the promise of securing trials for him in Romanian and Bulgarian clubs which never materialised. Efforts by the victim to recover his money proved abortive.”
The anti-graft agency disclosed that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.