The Kwara state police command have arrested a 23-year-old student of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Awoleye Joshua Oliwatofunmi for allegedly swindling an African-American lady, Vonapolous Moss.
The victim, who is from the state of Indiana in America was allegedly lured to Ilorin by Awoleye, a suspected internet fraudster.
Police said the suspect pretended to be an American citizen while chatting with Moss to get her to visit Nigeria.
Awoloeye was paraded in Ilorin on Friday at the state police command headquarters.
Addressing the press, the Commissioner, Paul Odama said; “Preliminary investigation revealed that Awoleye, who is a suspected internet fraudster, presented himself to the victim on TikTok, a social media platform as an American by the name Howard Adams and ripped her of about 1,000 US dollars.
“The suspect later took a step further by luring the victim to fly into Nigeria on January 9,2023 through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos, after which she flew into Ilorin the next day and was received by the suspect.”
Odama further explained that the suspect also deceitfully took an unspecified amount of dollars from the victim before she was rescued by men of the police force.
He also said the necessary authorities have been informed of the matter and appropriate action will be taken.
The commissioner added; “The rescued victim has been moved to secure custody by the state police command pending her return trip to the United States of America.”
He vowed to ensure justice prevails to serve as deterrent to would-be criminals in the business of cyber fraud which he lamented has dented the image of the country.
He also assured that the matter will not be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“The police also have the mandate to handle such matters and we will do a diligent prosecution to ensure that justice is served accordingly,” Odama said.
