The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects, including a baker for allegedly defrauding a customer of N4m through identity theft.

The suspect identified as Ndulaka Okwudili, Ifeanyi Nnamani, a former banker, and Philip Ozogwu, an NIN enrolment agent.

In a statement on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed that the suspects used the identity of an Mba Ndukwe, Australia-based Nigerian, to perpetrate the fraud.

The statement disclosed that Okwudili confessed to discovering a bag with various personal items, including SIM cards at Nowas Junction, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in October 2023.

In January 2024, he inserted an Airtel SIM card from the bag into his phone and received a significant credit alert, which led him and others who are still at large to start withdrawing money from the victim’s account using USSD banking codes.

In September 2024, when Okwudili faced difficulties accessing the account, he went to a branch of the victim’s bank. There, he allegedly conspired with Nnamani, a bank employee of 17 years, who informed him that the account was under a “Post No Debit” status.

Nnamani advised Okwudili to obtain a court affidavit and change his NIN details to match those of the account holder. Okwudili then reportedly hired Ozogwu, who unlawfully altered his NIN details, including his name and date of birth, to correspond with those of the victim. He reportedly paid Ozogwu N40,000 for the service.

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The statement added: “Using the fraudulent NIN, Nnamani reactivated the account and bypassed verification checks, including the Bank Verification Number.

“Okwudili subsequently withdrew N100,000, giving Nnamani N50,000 as a ‘reward’ for his role.

“Further withdrawals totaling N1.5 million triggered an alert at the bank’s Ohafia, Abia State, branch, where the account was originally opened. This led to the discovery of the fraud and a report to the police by the bank’s Enugu branch.”

The police arrested Okwudili and Nnamani during another attempted transaction on October 18 and Ozogwu was later apprehended.

The suspects were arraigned before the Enugu North Magistrate Court on charges of conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and fraud.

The court ordered that Okwudili and Nnamani be remanded at the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, while Ozogwu was granted bail pending further investigation.

In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu praised the bank for its role in uncovering the fraudulent activities.

He also urged the public to protect their personal information and devices containing sensitive data to prevent becoming victims of similar crimes.

Credible News.ng