Police reject N174m offered by arrested fraudster

Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have rejected an offer of N174m bribe offered to them by a 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma.

The suspect was alleged to have been involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, rituals and cultism.

The suspect, Akpoguma confessed to the crime, while speaking with journalists at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.

He explained that, in an attempt to have his name cleared, he began offering monetary bribes to the police.

He offered the sum of $100,000 USD, which is equivalent of N174 million. Addressing the press, on Friday, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, said that investigation into Akpoguma’s activities began on November 7, 2024, after receiving reports from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the suspect resides.

According to AIG Fayoade, “Patrick Akpoguma admitted being involved in what is known as romance scams and other crypto currency-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 crypto currency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.”

Speaking about his actions, the suspect, Akpoguma, said he felt too intelligent to work for a salary, which is why he turned to fraud three years ago.

“I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, and I am 28 years old. After leaving school, it became clear that I needed to find my own path and try to get on my feet. I decided to try fraud while I looked for something legitimate.

“I started doing fraud three years ago, and since then, I’ve made over $500,000 USD. I’ve achieved a lot—owning a house in Lagos, a house in Edo State, and a GLE Benz worth N100m.

“Once I defraud people and feel I’ve taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t leave them penniless.”