Man Forced Into Internet Fraud Captivity Rescued After Nine months

A man simply identified as Gbolahan who was allegedly held captive for nine months in Warri, Delta State, where he was coerced into internet fraud activities, has shared his harrowing experience.

Gbolahan, in a post on Monday via X from the Delta State Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, explained the details of his captivity.

Gbolahan, a former student of an Islamic school, recounted how he was lured to Warri by a friend with a promise to provide financial assistance for his trip to Cairo, Egypt after he struggled to raise ₦150,000.

“I needed money to complete my travel plans, so a friend invited me to Warri to help. But when I arrived, things took a dark turn,” Gbolahan said.

According to him, a vehicle picked him up at the park, but he was taken to a different location and locked in a house with other victims.

“They told me I couldn’t go back, and they forced me to learn internet fraud. They even beat me when I said I wanted to return home,” Gbolahan said, adding that he was beaten until he lost control of his bodily functions and began spitting blood.

Despite the brutality, he was coerced into participating in fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting victims on social media.

“The process involved hacking Facebook accounts by using phone numbers as passwords and deceiving foreigners into helping us financially by pretending to be in a relationship with them,” he said.

For nine months, Gbolahan said he had no access to his phone and was unable to contact his family, who remained unaware of his whereabouts.

“I’m happy now because I feel free. It was like being in prison,” he said.

Although he expressed concern about being charged in court.

“If they charge me to prison, it’s like going from one prison to another,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police PRO said that the authorities in Warri are investigating the case, and Gbolahan, alongside others held in similar conditions, will be charged in court.

The police further urged any family members of Gbolahan to come forward for further information at the police station.