Policemen reject N174 million bribe, arrest suspected internet fraudster
Police operatives attached Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, have arrested a suspected internet fraudster who allegedly offered a ₦174 million bribe to avoid prosecution.
The suspect, identified as Patrick Akpoguma, is alleged to have been involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism. Despite the bribe attempt, operatives of the command rejected the offer.
According to the police, the suspect offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about ₦174 million, to law enforcement officials.
The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, while briefing newsmen on Friday afternoon, revealed that investigations into Akpoguma began on November 7, 2024, following complaints from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the suspect resides.
AIG Fayoade stated, “Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance scams and other cryptocurrency-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 cryptocurrency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.”
The AIG further disclosed that Akpoguma used these fake identities to lure unsuspecting victims into fraudulent schemes. “He convinced his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request loans,” Fayoade explained.
The police boss further disclosed, “Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded over seven victims using this method.”
To execute these fraudulent activities, the suspect reportedly created a fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’ The police boss explained, “This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from maskmakers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki.”
The AIG added, “He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask, which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.”
Revealing further details, AIG Fayoade said, “Surprisingly, during the investigation, the suspect began pleading and offering money to be let off the hook. Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from the Raider team, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, to play along. On November 12, 2024, he offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million Naira. The money was accepted, registered as evidence, and the investigation continued. So far, the investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned accordingly.”
