BENIN CITY, Nigeria – The Edo State Police Command has apprehended an ex-banker, Gift Igbinosun, 35, on allegations of fraud amounting to over N14.9 million.
The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, told journalists in Benin on Friday, July 28, 2023, that the suspect had allegedly deceived her victims, Mr John Nnamdi and Mr Obasogie Henry Osagieduwa, by promising to procure them new naira notes in exchange for their money.
“Under the pretense of being a staff member of Keystone Bank, she fraudulently obtained the sum of N7,350,000 from Nnamdi,” said Nwabuzor.
“Similarly, she fraudulently obtained another sum of N7,600,000 from Osagieduwa.”
He explained, “They gave her the money with the hope that as she collects it, she would replace them with new notes, not knowing that she was no longer working with the bank.”
According to Nwabuzor, the State Intelligence Bureau arrested the suspect on July 20, 2023, following a tip-off, on charges of impersonation, conspiracy, advance fee fraud, obtaining money by pretense, fraudulent conversion, and stealing.
The suspect, who had been terminated from her employment at the bank two years ago, was still posing as a Keystone Bank staff member to carry out her scheme.
Igbinosun, speaking on her involvement, admitted to having provided Nnamdi with mint currency for a commission.
She, however, claimed that she could no longer meet his requests, leading to a debt.
“The second person, Henry, I have returned N2.5 million to him, leaving the balance of N5.1 million,” she admitted. “This has been going on for some months now. I was sacked by the bank about two years ago,” she added.
According to the police spokesperson, an extensive investigation into the case has been completed, and Igbinosun is expected to make her court appearance shortly.
As authorities continue to delve into fraudulent activities plaguing the banking sector, this case serves as a stark reminder to the public to exercise due diligence in financial transactions.
It is also a call to banking institutions to ensure the public is informed about changes in staff to avoid such fraudulent schemes.
