Scam

By Muhsin Ibrahim

There are many ways to detect scammers, especially those “offering” jobs (or scholarships) in foreign countries.

Here are a few tips:

1. Your employers will never ask you for money. They should, in fact, give you money. Once anyone asks you to deposit any amount of money into any account, run.

2. Visas are processed and issued solely at the embassies of the countries where you secure a job. In Nigeria, these embassies are primarily located in Abuja or Lagos.

3. Most jobs are offered only after a thorough review of your application, an aptitude test, and an interview.

4. In contrast, fraudulent jobs are effortlessly secured, often after submitting application documents or filling out forms online.

5. Please contact people who possibly know better or live in those countries before accepting a suspicious job offer. Contrary to the general belief, most of us are excited to see you here.

May you land the job of your dreams, amin.

Muhsin Ibrahim is a lecturer at the University of Cologne and he can be reached via muhsin2008@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a recent verdict, the Gombe State High Court delivered justice to perpetrators of employment scams, sending a strong message against fraud.

Ibrahim Abdullahi and Umar Usman found themselves on the wrong side of the law, charged with obtaining N682,847 under false pretenses.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that Abdullahi and Usman, separately arraigned, faced charges related to cheating and employment scams.

Abdullahi was accused of obtaining the Polaris ATM card of Aminu Adamu Idris and Muhammed Saidu Jibril under false employment promises, subsequently misusing it to secure a loan without consent.

Both defendants pleaded guilty upon arraignment. The prosecuting attorney, A.B. Kware, urged the court to consider appropriate sentencing, while the defendants’ attorney, R.A. Anthony, appealed for leniency, citing their regret and first-time offender status.

Judge Kereng, after finding them guilty, sentenced Abdullahi and Usman to one and two years in jail, respectively, alongside a N50,000 fine each.

In another case, Mohammed Soja faced six years imprisonment for similar fraud charges but was offered a chance for rehabilitation due to his father’s medical condition, with an option of a N150,000 fine.

Previously, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman received a 10-year sentence for obtaining goods under false pretenses.

The EFCC had arraigned Usman on one count in 2018 after he deceived a store owner in Gombe.

These verdicts underscore the judiciary’s commitment to combating fraud and protecting citizens from exploitation.

They serve as a reminder of the importance of due diligence in financial transactions and employment opportunities, emphasizing the need for vigilance against fraudulent schemes.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared a British and Indian citizen, Deepark Khilnani, wanted on the ground of fraudulent activities.

The Commission in a post on their verified social media accounts disclosed on Wednesday that Mr Khilnani is wanted for conspiracy, stealing and money laundry.

The Commission gave his brief details and requested that persons with information that could lead to his arrest should not hesitate to contact the EFCC.

“Deepark Khilnani, 63, Indian/British citizen is wanted by the EFCC for Conspiracy and Money Laundering. If you have any information that could lead to his arrest, please do not hesitate to contact the EFCC immediately”, they posted.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 
 
Olaniyi Nasiru Ojikutu, a 39-year-old Nigerian, was convicted of participating in a multi-year romance scam and was given a sentence of nearly seven and a half years in a U.S. prison.
 
Ojikutu, a permanent resident of the US, allegedly opened roughly 25 bank accounts under his own name, a fictitious name, and the name of a shell company, through which nearly $3.4 million in fraud proceeds were moved.
 
It was revealed that Ojikutu and nine other people were charged in Operation Gold Phish, a Chicago-based sting operation that uncovered cybercrimes that preyed on senior citizens.
 
Ojikutu was charged with wire fraud in the scheme in 2019 and received an 88-month prison term on Wednesday, according to Fox32Chicago.
 
Ojikutu fled to Canada by bus after being charged, but was apprehended seven months later and turned up to American authorities in January 2020.
 
Last July, he entered a guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
 
Social networking sites, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as the mobile dating app Match.com were used to contact scam victims.
 
Prosecutors asserted on Thursday that Ojikutu used the money obtained fraudulently for his own personal gain, including buying cars in the US and exporting them to Nigeria for resale.
 
Federal prosecutors reported that some victims suffered financial losses of several hundred thousand dollars as a result of Ojikutu’s acts.