Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Directorate, have arrested a suspected serial fraudster, Okeke Chinedu Callistus, also known as Ejike Okeke Michael, over his alleged involvement in a ₦369,325,000 fraud.
The anti-graft agency said the arrest followed petitions by two victims who accused the suspect of posing as a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator and defrauding them under the pretext of facilitating foreign exchange transactions.
Alleged China Transfer Fraud
One of the petitioners, Ezeugwu Leonard Chinedu, alleged that he paid ₦157,325,000 to Callistus to transfer funds to his business partner in China.
According to the complaint, the suspect promised to remit the money through international banking channels. However, only ₦24,030,000 was reportedly delivered.
Chinedu said Callistus later sent telex copies purportedly issued by ABA Bank of Cambodia as proof of payment for the outstanding balance.
The documents were eventually discovered to be forged when presented to the intended recipient in China.
Suspect’s Confession
During interrogation, the EFCC said Callistus admitted receiving the full amount but confessed to diverting part of the funds.
“I became short of finance for business and used Mr. Ezeugwu’s money to settle other customers I was owing because my business was experiencing a financial setback,” the suspect was quoted as saying.
He also reportedly admitted sending fake telex copies via WhatsApp.
“The copies I forwarded were not the real ones,” he confessed.
Investigators further established that Callistus was not a licensed Bureau De Change operator, contrary to his claims.
Following his admission, the suspect refunded ₦50 million, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦83,295,000.
Second Victim Alleges ₦212m Fraud
In a separate petition, another victim, Ernest Agu, alleged that Callistus approached him in 2024 seeking financial assistance.
The suspect allegedly claimed he had funds domiciled abroad in dollars and promised repayment once the money was accessed.
Agu said he transferred ₦212 million to Callistus’ account to facilitate the purported transaction.
Efforts to recover the funds reportedly failed, while invoices and telex documents provided by the suspect were later confirmed to be fake.
Investigations showed that Callistus refunded ₦167,614,800, leaving a balance of ₦44,385,200 unpaid.
EFCC: Charges Pending
The EFCC said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reaffirming its resolve to combat financial crimes, the Commission warned members of the public to exercise caution.
The agency advised Nigerians to conduct due diligence before engaging in high-value transactions, particularly those involving foreign exchange and international fund transfers.
The arrest adds to a growing list of enforcement actions by the EFCC targeting fraud, forgery, and financial deception across the country.
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