Next Ponzi Scheme: EFCC arraigns Mr ‘Crime Alert’ over N35 million fraud by William Ukpe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Olaniyan Gbenga Amos (aka Crime Alert) and his company, Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited over allegedly obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N35,000,000.00 (Thirty-Five Million Naira). This was disclosed in a statement by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC on Thursday evening. They stated that the defendant was arrested following petitions by victims, alleging that Amos defrauded them through his company, Detorrid Heritage Investment Nigeria Limited (DHIL). Gbenga Amos was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a 35-count charge bordering on conspiracy and operating business of other financial institutions. What the EFCC said “The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 18, 2021, arraigned one Olaniyan Gbenga Amos (aka Crime Alert) and his company, Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a 35-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operating business of other financial institutions and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N35,000,000.00 (Thirty-Five Million Naira),” the anti-graft agency stated. They noted that the accused was arrested following petitions by victims, alleging that Amos through his company, Detorrid Heritage Investment Nigeria Limited (DHIL) popularly known as Crime Alert Security Network Investment, induced them to invest in a Ponzi scheme which offered a monthly 30% return on investment. “Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited between August 2019 and May 2021 at Ibadan, without license, operated business of other financial institutions and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 58(1) and punishable under section 59(6) (a and b) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” one of the charges brought against Amos read. Another charge read thus: “That you Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited on or about 29th of September, 2020, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N15,000,000:00 (Fifteen Million Naira) only from Fadipe Babajide Ayorinde, when you falsely represented to him that the money is meant for registration and investment with Crime Alert Security Network with a promise of 30% return on investment in 6 weeks (30 working days), which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (I)(a) and punishable under section (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2016.” The accused pleaded “not guilty” to the charges and Justice Agomoh adjourned till October 25, 2021, “for hearing of bail application.” The Judge also ordered that Amos be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abolongo, Oyo State. In case you missed it Nairametrics earlier reported that the Federal High Court Abuja, ordered that the former board chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngozi Olejeme, be remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody, until Friday. Olejeme was arraigned on a nine-count charge in which she was accused of abusing her office, receiving bribes, awarding contracts without due process, diversion of public funds, money laundering among others.