Nigerian Man Who Pretended To Be An American Citizen Allegedly Commits $350,000 Romance Scam

A 29-year-old man, Baggio Eghwrudjakpor, who is suspected of pretending to be an American citizen, has been arrested by operatives from Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos. He has been charged in a Lagos Magistrate’s Court with allegedly defrauding an American citizen and several unsuspecting Nigerians of $350,000 through deception.

The police alleged that the defendant allegedly collected the $350,000 equivalent to N525 million through romance scam from one Wanda Kelker and other Nigeria citizens through rafter parading himself as an American citizen armed with fake documents such as Delta State Government number plate, America driver’s license, America bank cheques of different  companies and individuals.

The police further alleged that luck, however, ran out against Eghwrudjakpor when the victims uncovered that he was not an American citizen as he claimed and that all the documents he was allegedly parading were all fake and petitioned the police at the Zone 2 Command, Lagos leading to his arrest at a hideout in Lagos.

After investigation by Inspector Oladejo Johnson and his team, Eghwrudjakpor, from Delta State was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court, Oyingbo, Lagos on a five-count charge bordering on impersonation, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

Police prosecuting Counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa told the Court in the charge marked F/33/204 that the defendant committed the offence between September 2023 and July 2024 in Lagos.

Igbinosa informed the court that the defendant claimed to be an American citizen armed with fake documents to defraud the complainants through romance scam knowing full well that his claims were false.

He said the offences the defendant committed were punishable under sections 411, 380, 365, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate Davies granted him N2.5m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Davies adjourned the case till 26 September, 2024 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi Correctional facility till he perfected the bail conditions.