How EFCC Arrested Nigerian Who Defrauded 139 Australians Of $8 Million

Otukpa is accused of masterminding a sophisticated scam that defrauded a total of 139 Australians, amassing approximately AUD 8,000,000 (about USD 8 million) in the process.

Otukpa was taken into custody at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, December 6, 2024, as he arrived from the United States. The operation to arrest him was executed with precision during a carefully coordinated stakeout by the EFCC operatives.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, released an official statement detailing the nature of Otukpa’s alleged fraudulent activities. According to the statement, Otukpa operated under multiple aliases—Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson—to create a deceptive persona that he used to ensnare victims.

By leveraging social media platforms, he was able to attract potential investors to his fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme, known as the Liquid Asset Group.

The scheme was crafted to appear legitimate, luring Australians to invest their hard-earned money into what they believed to be profitable cryptocurrency ventures. However, it was later revealed that these investments were nothing more than a façade, with the actual intent of Otukpa being to divert the proceeds of these fraudulent activities into his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.

As investigations continue, the EFCC is preparing to bring charges against Otukpa in court, as they work to unravel the full extent of his operations and seek justice for the individuals affected by his fraudulent actions.