The Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) of the Nigeria Police, Ikoyi, Lagos has arrested Mr. Smith Francis Ohiogbochie, 29, for allegedly defrauding six people of N50 million over dubious company deals in Lagos.
The spokesman of the Special Fraud Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawal Audu said the suspect was in the habit of approaching unsuspecting members of the public with his business proposal and convincing them to invest through his company to expect fabulous profit after a period of time.
According to him, “He (Francis), further takes his victims on an expedition to charcoal production centres in Oyo, Osun and Kwara States just to further convince them to invest.
“ Investigations also revealed that once investments are made, Francis disappears momentarily to manipulate group photographs of himself and unknown expatriates given an impression of making more deals in Dubai and other foreign countries”.
The Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ibrahim Lamorde, however warned members of the public to desist from investing their hard earned money blindly in the name of doing business.
“Prospective business men and women are advised to do background checks on proposed businesses before investing”, he advised.
He stated that the suspect would be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others that prefer crime to embarking on genuine business transactions.
The suspect who was paraded at the Special Fraud Unit, said, “As an importer, exporter and partly into oil and gas business, I am in debt to most of my associates over my inability to meet up with our agreements. I have pleaded with them to give me some time to pay up, but they chose to call the police”.
While blaming his inability to pay up to the ban on importation of goods in February, Francis noted that he had recorded successes in the business adding, “this is just an unfortunate situation for me”.
He also claimed to have given 2.5million to one of the victims he owed N15 million and part payments to others pending when he was able to clear the remaining amount owed.
However, following the increasing complaints of allegedly obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and issuance of dud cheques from several persons, crack Detectives attached to the Police Special Fraud Unit arrested Francis.
He was arrested in Satellite Town, Lagos as about 12 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Cards and Six (6) different bank tokens were recovered in his possession.
A company registered in 2016 by Ohiogbochie with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja, SMITH CAP GLOBAL LIMITED allegedly deals with charcoal production and exportation to foreign countries.
Police investigations carried out by the Unit revealed that Francis had neither exported any charcoal nor travelled out of the shores of Nigeria.
He also does not have any operational office or credible accommodation traceable to him or his company.
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