EFCC Arraigns Bureau De Change Operator for $4,016.25 Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday April 23, 2013, arraigned Benjamin Otuorimuo, on a one count charge bordering on, inducement, false pretence and stealing before Justice Adebisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja. The suspect allegedly obtained the sum of $4,016.25 (Four Thousand, Sixteen Dollars and Twenty Five cents) under false pretence from Kemud International Limited by inducing the company to pay the sum into Audu Mohammed’s account in one of the first generation banks in Lagos.

The fraudster allegedly hacked into Kemud  International Limited's e-mail address to deceive it into paying $ 4,016.25 USD into his account with First Bank. The money was a balance of a contract sum which Kemud International Limited  gave to Intech Process Automation Nigeria Limited. The fraudster, a bureau de change operator, got into trouble when Intech approached Kemud International Limited for its balance and was told that it had been paid into the fraudster's account number which he presented as Intech's new account number.

The charge reads: “that you Benjamin Otuorimuo on or about the 12^th day of September, 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of US $4,016.25 (Four Thousand, Sixteen Dollars and Twenty Five United States Cents) under false pretence from Kemud International Limited by inducing the Company to pay the sum into Audu Mohammed’s account No 2015862776 at First bank Plc, Sabo Lagos”.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty. 

In view of the plea of the defendant, the prosecuting counsel,  Gbolahan Latona prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

Justice Akinlade adjourned the case to July 10, 2013 for hearing of bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison.