The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has delivered 53 vehicles and $180,300, stolen by fraudsters, to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
These assets were taken from Canadian citizens. During the handover of the items in Abuja, Commission Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed that of the $180,300, $164,000 was stolen from Canadian woman Elena Bogomas in a romance scam, while $16,300 was taken from Sandra Butler.
Olukoyede emphasized that the recoveries are a product of collaborative efforts between Nigeria and other nations in the battle against corruption. ‘We are here today to witness the handover of assets recovered on behalf of Canadian victims of cybercrime. This operation has spanned several years and has yielded significant recoveries,’ he stated.
He further asserted, ‘It is crucial for our colleagues at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to understand that the EFCC and Nigeria as a whole are committed to combating financial crimes. Nigeria should not solely be viewed as a hub for such activities; rather, it serves as a transit point, similar to Canada and many other countries, as people move across jurisdictions.
This event also showcases the Nigerian government’s unwavering stance against financial crime.’
He noted, ‘In total, 53 vehicles were recovered for the victims. In one case, $164,000 was taken from Elena, along with an additional $16,300. These assets will be handed over to the Canadian police for restitution to the victims.’
The EFCC Chairman also pledged to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets for those affected by financial crimes.
