The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over $180,300 and 53 automobiles to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Friday after some Nigerians fraudulently took them from Canadian individuals.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the repatriation of the confiscated automobiles and monies, the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, emphasised that Canadians were victims of cybercrime.
He emphasised that recovering and restoring the assets demonstrates the commission’s commitment to combating financial wrongdoing.
According to the EFCC Chairman, the event underlined the need for countries working together to combat financial and other types of crime.
He said, “This is an occasion we are using to demonstrate our commitment to fighting financial crimes and to also collaborate with other countries and agencies around the world. It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.
“It has become a global problem. The people who perpetrate these crimes do so in a way that shows their activities are borderless and barbaric.
“They employ various means to ensure they move across jurisdictions. That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world.
“Most countries are collaborating with us in the fight against financial crimes. What you are witnessing today is a demonstration of that reinforced commitment. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been collaborating with us. This collaboration has resulted in many recoveries and the impact of joint operations.”
Olukoyede noted that Nigeria should not be seen as a hub of financial and other crimes, adding that the country does not tolerate criminal activities.
He said, “It is important for us to let our colleagues and friends from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police know that as an agency, the EFCC, and as a country, Nigeria is always ready to fight financial crimes. Nigeria should not necessarily be seen as a hub of financial crimes. It is a transit town, as are Canada and most countries across the world, because people move from one jurisdiction to another.
“This is also a demonstration that the Nigerian government will never tolerate any act of financial crime.”
The EFCC Chairman pledged to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets for victims of financial crimes.
“The Nigerian government does not tolerate financial crimes. Not only that, we will pursue, investigate, recover, prosecute, and ensure that victims are restituted. That is what we are doing today.”
Commenting on the recoveries, he said $164,000 was taken from Bogomas Elena, while Sandra Butler was defrauded of $16,300.
“In total, 53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims. In one instance, $164,000 was taken from Elena, and $16,300 was also recovered. These will be handed over to the Canadian police to return to the victims.”
Michael Wetkas, Zonal Director of the Lagos Directorate, provided background on the recovery procedure, stating that the Canadian police informed the commission in 2012 about stolen automobiles that had gone missing while en route from Canada.
“All they provided us with were the vehicle registration numbers. From there, our team quickly traced the vehicles. At one point, we realised the scale of the operation, which was quite large, and it became known as Operation Hot Wheels.
“It was a joint operation between us and Canadian police officers. This collaboration led to the recovery of the 53 vehicles handed over today. Among them, nine were tracked from a vessel transporting them abroad back to Nigeria. That is the brief story behind the operation.”
He mentioned that Bogomas’ case was a romance scam reported to the commission.
“An intelligence-led investigation was painstakingly conducted, and investigators discovered that the fraudster had used the proceeds to purchase real estate in Lagos. This property was traced, confiscated, and the assets returned.
“Today, we are celebrating the recovery of $164,000 on behalf of Bogomas. The fraudster has been convicted, and another suspect is still on trial,” he added.
On behalf of the Canadian Police, Premier Secretary and Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Robert Aboumitri, praised the EFCC’s efforts.
He said, “This is a testament to your professionalism and commitment to combating crime. I also cannot conclude my remarks without thanking the Government of Nigeria. If I may, Mr. Executive Chairman, I’d like to add that we cover multiple countries, and many of them would be envious of the work you are doing here.
“This shows that you are one of the key partners in West Africa in the fight against crime. Thank you very much. We highly value this partnership and would like to elevate it to the highest level possible.”
