Colonel’s son wanted by FBI over $6m fraud surrenders to EFCC

FBI suspect wanted for $6m internet scam

A suspected fraudster wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the US Felix Okpoh has submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agency said on Tuesday.

Mr Okpoh, according to a statement by the EFCC, is wanted by the FBI for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

Last year, US authorities declared Okpoh alongside Richard Uzuh, Alex Ogunshakin, Abiola Kayode and Nnamdi Benson wanted.

They are accused of business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded more than 70 businesses in the United States of $6million.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said Okpoh allegedly provided over 40 bank accounts to his conspirators.

The accounts were used to receive wire transfers totalling over $1million.

On August 21, 2019, Okpoh was indicted in the United States District Court, District of Nebraska on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The suspect turned himself in on September 18 at the EFCC Lagos office in the company of his parents, Col. Garuba Okpoh (rtd.) and Justina Okpoh.

The agency said Okpoh, during interrogation, said he surrendered “out of respect for his parents and his resolve to be morally upright”.