Police nab Internet fraudster

by patience ogbo

August 19, 2009 08:12PM

The police on Thursday paraded a-30-year-old man, Opeyemi Shittu, for allegedly defrauding a foreigner Marie Ketter, of $1, 200. The suspect was paraded at the Oduduwa Police Station, Ikeja.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Tuesday byintelligence officers from D Department, State CID, Panti, at Mr. Biggs, Alakija, when the suspect allegedly went to meet the victim to collect more cash.

Police report reveals that the suspect was engaged in cyber crime which he perpetrated with the following addresses: michaelharry009@yahoo.com and michaelharry008@hotmail.co.uk.

"On the 30th day of July, 2009, information received had alleged that one Marie Ketter, a female architect based in Luxembourg, was cajoled into an affair through communication on the net by an unknown fraudster.

"The fraudster was suspected to be a Nigerian who however claimed to be an American citizen with an adopted name of Michael Harry."

The report further said that Mr. Shittu lied to the victim that he came to Nigerian for a brief visit and was attacked by armed robbers who collected all his money.

"The suspect said he was an armed robbery victim and that the Nigerian police was investigating the case and he needed money for court processes as well as to travel to Luxembourg to visit her. The victim sympathized with the suspect when she heard that he was attacked by armed robbers in Nigeria; the victim therefore sent a total sum of $1,200 to the suspect to alleviate his problems."

After the suspect allegedly collected the money through Western Union from Guarantee Trust Bank Plc (GTB), he stopped communicating with the victim, which made the victim to become suspicious that she has been dealing with a fraudster all this while. She contacted her friend in Nigerian who then linked her up with the Lagos State police spokesperson, Frank Mba.

"When I heard the case I directed that the case be handled by the state CID. Intelligence officers went undercover and got information about the suspect. He was ensnared through series of stimulated telephone interviews and was lured to Mr. Biggs [outift] at Alakija where he was arrested," Mr. Mba said.

Mr. Shittu said: "I am a fashion designer and I was studying creative arts at the University of Lagos. I had to drop out because of lack of money. I went into fashion designing but I needed money to set up a fashion house. I met Marie online and we got talking. After a while, I told her that I love her and she said she loves me too.

"My friend named Rasaq, a student at Cyprus, impersonated me and asked Marie for the money. We are many that deceived her but I do not know all of us. I told her that I was robbed and I need money. She sent $1,200 but I got $700 which I used to buy sewing machines."

Mr. Mba said, "People must be careful who they meet online; the INTERPOL will assist us to track down the other suspect, in Cyprus, the suspect will be charged to court soon."

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Reader Comments (11)

Posted by Sugabelly on Aug 14 2009

This Marie Ketter should be arrested for being an idiot and punished. How many people would give $1200 to a stranger walking down the street, so why would you give it to a stranger that you don't know over the Internet? Abeg jo, the police should leave this poor man alone. At least he was trying to use the money to be enterprising and better his situation. It's not as if he used the money to go on a spending spree. He used the money to buy SEWING MACHINES that he obviously would have used to start a tailoring business. It's not his fault Yar'Adua's government is crap. I blame Marie Ketter whoever and wherever she is for alarming stupidity and gullibility. If I were INTERPOL I would arrest her and cane her.

Posted by Taiye on Aug 14 2009

He bought sewing machines? He must be stupid! Where is the electricity to power the machines he has bought? Punish him for being wasteful with money. Report Marie to her government so that they can punish her for encouraging fraud in a foreign country...she's a thief herself!

Posted by Folarin on Aug 14 2009

The boy must be very stupid,he should have collected more money from the stupid foreigner Ketter.what is $1,200? is nothing and if have the opportunity i will scam higher amount.

Posted by S.O on Aug 14 2009

In my own view I believe Nigeria guys are try to make money from this online scam. If government eradicate this ... possibly it will lead to many robbery attitude in country. Alot of graduates are now walking round the street without doing anything with there certificate and this was caused by the poor government we have and no one to take care of poor ones. I don't blame this poor guy for doing all this and I think if this happen in USA, they will seek the conscience of the guy and ask for how he definitely get the money out and trained him with his experience towards a better role and Marie or what did they call that good Samaritan.... she is willing to help and I think its not a good thing to discourage those who have and want to help, I believe a Nigeria government can not give anybody such money and kindly consider the money the guy would have spends on internet before she can finally fall for him and agree to marry him. Lets face reality and let the government help people with the base knowledge. and lately the guy that is in Cyprus don't have any problem and he help his poor guy since he don't have any money to send to him and he know the best to do ... what I will say is to leave the guy alone and teach him how to spend money in future if he have better opportunity... because its wrong of him to buy a sewing machine in this poor nation of no electricity .... well maybe he have a generator set to work with .... LOL

Posted by Nobel on Aug 14 2009

There is no justification for a criminal means of making money. Any intelligence you have as an individual, if channeled properly in the positive direction, should be enable you achieve greater things in life. Scamming is bad and the Nigerian Police and even the politicians are indifferent about it. When you mingle with foreigners, and you introduce yourself as a Nigerian, you would know how much harm it can course. Don't celebrate evil, whether for good intentions or otherwise.

Posted by Dr. David Akin-Samuels on Aug 15 2009

Let us make sense out of nonsense! Police, CID, Chief of Police, Inspector General of Police and the Politicians are all jubilating because this man has been arrested for swindling the lady out of $1200.00, bad at it may be, the lady whom I am sure is not stupid, not an idiot as some of you would like to think, has only done what any one from the Western world would do (if it is affordable) - This is someone that profess love - Not unusual for this to happen, I am sure by the time the investigation is completed, the lady would state that she has forgiven him - who knows, she might even fall in love for real and decide to assist her further - If only Nigeria Government could assist the Citizens in getting Jobs, provide sustainance for those who are unable - this would not be happening. Moreso, a man would not die in front of the Police Headquarters. Nigeria should be ashamed! The man did not built mansions with the money, but purchase an instrument to enhance his life with the money received from his "Lover". I hope the Judge in this matter would "Think" before sentensing this guy. Dr. David Akin-Samuels United Kingdom

Posted by Emmanuel Udom on Aug 15 2009

THE arrest of Shittu, a UNILAG drop-out, who claimed to be Harry Mashal, an American citizen, as far as I am concerned is a non issue. Internet fraudsters abound everywhere and the police and EFCC think parading one person could discourage other numerous frausters? Yes, Marvel Akpoyibo, the Lagos police boss is trying his best. However, officers from the command cannot pretend that they cannot locte the many public cybercafes, where suspeted frudsters convey daily for their criminal activities

Posted by Nedu O. on Aug 16 2009

All this na long story!!! Simply assist the young man with other sowing machine!

Posted by evangeline on Aug 16 2009

Instead of helping this poor victim your calling her an idiot. African citizen this suspect or scammers are destroying the name of Africa. They should put all this scammers in jail because they dont want to work, People of Africa please protect your countrys name.

Posted by truth on Aug 17 2009

free the poor boy,have you forgotten the era of slave trade?the guy is getting back some of our lost property.he who is a saint amongst up should be the first to cast a stone. Am sure if the guy had given police money money,the story wouldn't be in the papers. You guys should go to Abuja and arrest the masters of yahoo yahoo from the president to senators,ministers and others. How many top shots who looted government property have been paraded

Posted by Uche Okereke on Aug 21 2009

I'm disappointed in the Nigerian Police especially that Frank Mba guy. I'm sure he demanded for money and the poor guy has already use his share of the cake to buy sewing machine, if not he would have collected 10 or 20%. The guy was only used as a scap goat. The same Frank Mba guy arrested two years ago in a cyber cafe in Ikeja and I bribed him with $200. he said i sould be careful not to fall in their hands again. Let it go and let other internet fruadsters learn from this guys story and be smart not to be caught but if caught be smart to bribe your way out before being paraded.