On Friday, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, handed over €5,100, recovered as proceeds of crime, to the Spanish ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell.
The sum was retrieved from a Nigerian romance fraudster by the EFCC, in collaboration with the Spanish Police, for a Spanish victim, Heinz Uchtmann.
In a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede emphasized the vast financial resources controlled by criminals worldwide, stating that they surpass the wealth of the technology industry.
He further highlighted the importance of international collaboration in fighting internet-based crimes. “The borderless nature of internet crimes has made partnership among countries and law enforcement agencies essential,” Olukoyede said. He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria remains a hostile environment for corrupt and fraudulent individuals.
“It has become very imperative for us to understand that financial crimes have become a borderless crime. Sometimes, you will discover that they operate from a different country, get their victims in another country, and the proceeds of crime go to yet another country. We are resolute to ensure that Nigeria is not made a safe haven for financial criminals and corrupt people,” the EFCC chairman added.
In response, Ambassador Sell praised the cooperation between the EFCC and the Spanish Police, saying, “Many times, you work on processes and you will never see the result of your endeavours, but what has made this special is the fact that we have seen the results of the efforts of the collaboration of two countries that are friends for the benefit of the citizens. Indeed, this is a joyful moment for all of us.”
He expressed satisfaction with the success of the joint efforts in recovering the funds and protecting both nations’ financial ecosystems from being undermined by fraud.
, Ola Olukoyede, handed over €5,100, recovered){kind=link}