Nigerian nabbed for alleged $8m cryptocurrency scam

Abdullateef Fowewe

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have apprehended a Nigerian national, Osang Usie Otukpa, accused of staging an $8 million cryptocurrency scam that defrauded 139 Australians.

Otukpa according to a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, was apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos upon his return from the United States.

Dailyeconomy gathered that the suspect employed multiple aliases including Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson to deceive his victims.

Oyewale stated that the alleged scam involved a fake cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group, which Otukpa heavily promoted on social media, stating that the victims were lured into investing in the platform, only to suffer significant financial losses.

Oyewale revealed that proceeds from the fraudulent scheme were funnelled into Otukpa’s bank accounts via a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.

Oyewale said, “Operatives of EFCC have arrested a suspected online fraudster, Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $AUD8,000,000.

“He was picked up in a stakeout at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024.

“Otukpa, who goes by five aliases, scammed the victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.

“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.”

Oyewale further stressed that investigations are ongoing and that Otukpa will face charges in court upon the conclusion of their investigation.