Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged N35,395,000 investment scam in Enugu.
The suspects, identified as Samuel Inalegwu Okpala and Ezelibe Emmanuel Nzube, were apprehended for allegedly conspiring with one Chibuike Vincent DePaul Izundu, who is currently at large, to defraud 32 victims through a fake investment scheme.
According to petitions received by the Commission, the victims were lured into investing in a company known as Paybeta Digital Limited, reportedly linked to the principal suspect, Izundu. The company’s representatives allegedly claimed they were dealers in recharge cards, electricity units, DSTV and GOTV subscriptions.
The petitioners stated that they were promised returns on investment ranging from 15 percent to 80 percent, depending on the duration of the investment. However, shortly after collecting the funds, the suspects allegedly became unreachable, and all efforts by the investors to recover their money proved unsuccessful.
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that Izundu allegedly worked in collaboration with Okpala, using Okpala’s account under the name RFB Global Resources Nigeria Limited to receive funds from the victims.
Upon Okpala’s arrest, operatives reportedly recovered a bank token in his possession, which was allegedly meant to be delivered to Nzube on the instructions of the fleeing principal suspect.
Further investigations uncovered incriminating messages on the mobile phones of both Okpala and Nzube, linking them to the fraudulent scheme. Authorities also disclosed that Nzube was allegedly involved in internet fraud, including romance scam activities.
The EFCC stated that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
