Security & Crime
EFCC Transfers $22,000 Recovered from Fraud Convict to FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has received a transfer of $22,000 from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was seized from Hakeem Olanrewaju, a convicted internet fraudster.
The handover occurred in Lagos State and was confirmed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale. Michael Wetkas, Acting Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Command, expressed satisfaction with the handover and emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes.
FBI’s Legal Attaché Charles Smith commended the EFCC for their cooperation and highlighted the importance of recovering funds from Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes.
Smith expressed optimism about the ongoing partnership between the two agencies and pledged the FBI’s support in the investigation.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos had previously ordered that the recovered funds be returned to Olanrewaju’s victim in the United States, following Olanrewaju’s conviction for identity theft and impersonation.