The Enugu State Police Command arrested three suspects, including a banker, for allegedly defrauding a customer of N4m through identity theft.
The suspects, identified as Ndulaka Okwudili, Ifeanyi Nnamani, a former bank employee, and Philip Ozogwu, a National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment agent, were apprehended on October 18, 2024.
According to the statement, Okwudili admitted to discovering a bag containing personal items, including SIM cards, near Nowas Junction, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in October 2023.
“In January 2024, Okwudili inserted an Airtel SIM card from the bag into his phone and received a substantial credit alert. This prompted him and others still at large to begin withdrawing funds from the victim’s account using USSD banking codes,” the statement said.
According to the statement, when Okwudili was unable to access the account in September 2024, he went to a branch of the victim’s bank for assistance.
There, he allegedly collaborated with Nnamani, a 17-year bank employee. Nnamani informed him that the account had been placed on “Post No Debit” status and recommended him to obtain a court affidavit and change his NIN to match that of the account holder.
Okwudili reportedly hired Ozogwu, who illegally altered his NIN details—including his name and date of birth—to match those of the victim.
According to reports, he paid Ozogwu N40,000 for the service.
The statement added, “Using the fraudulent NIN, Nnamani reactivated the account and bypassed verification checks, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN). Okwudili subsequently withdrew N100,000, giving Nnamani N50,000 as a’reward’ for his role.
On October 18, police detained Okwudili and Nnamani during another attempted deal, while Ozogwu was apprehended later.
The suspects were charged with conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and fraud in the Enugu North Magistrate’s Court.
Okwudili and Nnamani were remanded in the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, while Ozogwu was granted release awaiting further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, praised the bank’s efforts to discover fraudulent activity.
He warned the public to protect their personal information and gadgets containing sensitive data to prevent becoming victims of similar scams.
