CITIZENS COMPASS – The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, has rejected the sum of ₦174 million bribe from a suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma.
The 28-year-old suspect was said to be engaging in various forms of cyber fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism as at the time of his arrest.
He was paraded yesterday, at the Zonal Command.
Parading the suspect, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, said the Zone commenced investigation about the suspect on Thursday, November 7, 2024, following reports by residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, the abode of the suspect.
He said, ”Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance scams and other cryptocurrency-related scams. He meets various people online and presents himself as a notable and famous Caucasian American, such as Colonel Matt Herbert, a serving U.S. Army officer currently on a peacekeeping mission in Iran. He also impersonates Adam Taggart, a renowned cryptocurrency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.
“He convinced his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request loans. Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded over seven victims using this method.
“To perfect these fraudulent activities, he created a fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’ This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from maskmakers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki. He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask, which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.
“Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from the Raider team, led by CSP Ngozi Braid, to play along. On 12 November 2024, he offered the money, which was accepted, registered as evidence, and the investigation continued.
“So far, the investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned accordingly.”
Speaking with journalists, Akpoguma confessed to the crimes.
He narrated how he offered the sum of $100,000 USD (approximately ₦174 million) as a bribe.
“I felt too intelligent to work for a salary, which is why I turned to fraud three years ago. I’ve made over $500,000 USD since then. I own a house in Lagos, another in Edo State, and a GLE Benz worth ₦100 million.
“Once I defraud people and feel I’ve taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t leave them penniless.”
