Lagos State Police Command has apprehended two international fraudsters who specialize in forging certificates from foreign universities and defrauding unsuspecting victims online. The suspects, 23-year-old Elvis Osakpolo Edokpain and 24-year-old Kelly Osas Endgieen, were arrested by detectives from the Anti-Corruption Unit of Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.
The suspects, known for their lavish lifestyles funded by illicit activities, reportedly acquired luxury cars and built mansions across Nigeria. Their arrest followed credible intelligence received by the police about a group involved in forging international certificates. Acting on the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Adegoke Fayoude, the suspects were tracked and apprehended at a bus stop near a hotel in Lekki after landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The police recovered several fraudulent documents, including a forged certificate from Blue Crest College, Ghana, a student ID card and transcripts from Academic City College, and a letter of English proficiency along with a recommendation letter from Blue Crest College. The suspects admitted that they had never attended these institutions. They confessed to procuring the certificates and residency permits in Ghana for 26,000 Ghanaian cedis (approximately ₦2 million), using them to pose as students and evade arrest while in Ghana.
During interrogation, the suspects revealed their involvement in online romance scams and international financial fraud. They impersonated a U.S. Army officer, “Captain Donald Rowe,” on Instagram, luring victims with promises of goods for sale in Syria. Payments from victims were funneled through blockchain wallets and foreign bank accounts before being credited in Nigerian accounts. Their fraudulent operations targeted victims in countries such as Japan, Denmark, and China, with accomplices in the UK, South Africa, and other nations.
In a surprising twist, the suspects offered a ₦66 million bribe to secure their release. Acting under AIG Fayoude’s directive, detectives played along, collected the money as evidence, and initiated further investigations.
The police have contacted the Ghanaian Embassy for additional information and are collaborating with Interpol to apprehend the suspects’ international accomplices. The suspects, who only attended secondary schools in Benin City, attributed their criminal activities to poverty and the desire for a better life. They have since expressed regret and urged Nigerian youths to avoid shortcuts, emphasizing the importance of hard work to achieve success.
The police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on criminal activities and urged the public to remain vigilant against online scams.