The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) said on Monday that it arrested a man, who allegedly specialises in hijacking US DV Lottery won by prospective players and resell same to others.
The SFU spokesperson, DSP Ngozi Isintume-Agu, said in statement in Lagos that the suspect usually resells the lottery to desperate Nigerians who intend travelling to the USA.
Isintume-Agu said that the arrest was made possible after the unit received a petition from the Regional Security Office of the US Consulate General in Lagos over the activities of the suspect.
She said that the embassy alleged that one Ishola Bukola, born on June, 18, 1986 appeared at the US Embassy in Lagos for an immigrant visa interview.
“Bukola under oath affirmed that she was legally married to one Owoeye Akeem Seun. Suspecting her claim, she was arrested and investigated and she confessed that the marriage was fake.
“Bukola claimed the marriage was arranged for the purpose of obtaining the U.S. visa. The suspect further stated that she is not the actual winner of the DV Lottery in her possession.
“The real name of the owner is Adebayo Damilola and that the information was given to her by the suspect, who claimed to be a visa vendor and did the marriage merger with one Akeem Seun Owoeye.
“Adebayo Damilola is a 21-year-old from Ijebu Akure, while Akeem Owoeye is a 25-year-old from Idanre both in Ondo State.
“Both confessed that they did not play DV Lottery Visa in 2011/2012 and were involved in the mess by the suspect. The suspect collected the sum of N500, 000 from Akeem Owoeye Seun for the services,’’ Isintume-Agu said.
The spokesperson said that the 36 years-old man would soon be arraigned in court.
Similarly, Isintumen-Agu said that the Embassy reported another case involving two applicants who appeared with the same identity as Ubogu Augustine Efe, born on August 25, 1980.
She said that the applicants had different passport numbers A04659013 and A02804332 to support their applications.
“Police investigation revealed that the passport number A02804332 is the actual winner of the DV Lottery, while passport number A04659013 owner fraudulently adopted the name of the real winner Ubogu Augustine Efe.
“The 26 years old man confessed that he paid the sum of N100, 000 to one Kayode, who gave him the information of the lottery winner.
“Kayode is still at large. Effort has been intensified for his arrest while the suspect has since been charged to court,’’ she said.