The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of a Dubai-based Nigerian Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Ismaila Mustapha also known as Mompha.
The anti-graft agency also recovered five wristwatches worth N20 million from the popular Instagram big boy.
KanyiDaily had reported that Mompha was arrested in Abuja, shortly after arriving Nigeria from Dubai.
EFCC has confirmed that Mompha was arrested for alleged internet fraud and money laundering on Friday last week at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
This was made known through the official Twitter handle of the commission on Tuesday, which reads:
“The EFCC, Lagos office, has arrested social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha popularly known as Mompha, for alleged involvement in Internet-related fraud and money laundering.
“The suspect, a premium and first-class customer of one of the popular international airlines, was arrested on October 18, 2019 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to Dubai, United Arab Emirate, following series of intelligence reports received by the commission.
“Actionable cross-border intelligence received from collaborative law enforcement agencies about his alleged involvement in the criminal activities further strengthened our suspicion.”
“Ismaila, who allegedly perpetrates his fraudulent activities under the guise of being a Bureau de Change operator is always seen with his little son flaunting huge amount of foreign currencies on his social media platforms.
“Investigations have also revealed that Ismaila is only using the BDC business, he jointly owned with his siblings, as a decoy to launder his proceeds of crime.
“However, the suspect has volunteered useful information to the operatives and has admitted to be reasonably involved in the first two cases he was alleged to be involved.
“At the point of arrest, five wristwatches with a total worth of over twenty million naira (N20, 000, 000: 00) was recovered from him. The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”
Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had reported that the EFCC had arrested not less than 94 suspected internet fraudsters during ‘Yahoo Boys’ party at a popular nightclub, Club Secret Underground, located along the Ibadan-Iwo expressway in Oyo State.
The arrest was reported as the most massive burst ever recorded by the agency since it intensified the crackdown on the Internet scammers.