Update: Suspected serial fraudster used dating site to lure victim to Abuja hotel with intent to rob her

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has interrogated suspected internet fraudster Joseph Efe who tied up a lady at Top View Hotel, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja.

The FCT Commander, Olusola Odumosu, said on Friday, September 20, 2024, that Efe specializes in luring women to dating sites called “coded runs” with the intention of stealing their phones and withdrawing money from his victims’ bank accounts.

“The 30-year-old suspect, Joseph Efe, who hails from Edo and Ondo, was arrested after he left the hotel to meet an alleged accomplice, leaving his victim tied up in the hotel room,” Odumosu said.

“The astute men of the NSCDC FCT Command posted at their sentry post saw Joseph’s suspicious movements and apprehended him. But instead of stopping, the suspect took off running. They spotted our brave officers chasing him, apprehended him and were taken back to his hotel room. There, the naked girl was found tied at her hands and legs with semi-transparent adhesive tape (cello tape).

“The victim, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, a native of Abia State, was immediately rescued from the situation where she was stripped naked and tied at her hands, feet and mouth.

Olusola Odumosu said the suspect confessed to being a yahoo boy and that he was not making any money from it. That is why he decided to look for young girls on a dating site called ‘coded runs’ and that he operates between Port Harcourt, Lagos, Benin and Abuja.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect, Mr. Efe, is a serial fraudster (Yahoo) and thief, who specializes in luring women on dating sites to hotel rooms with the intention of stealing their phones and withdrawing money from his victims’ bank accounts.

Speaking to journalists, Dr. Odumosu said:

“Let it be abundantly clear that the video circulating about this incident was not taken by NSCDC operatives. We only discovered its existence when it went viral on social media.

“Furthermore, as a Corps we are obliged and authorised to conduct a careful investigation before taking the necessary steps to prosecute a suspect or transfer him to a relevant sister agency.”

After preliminary investigation, the suspect and the victim will be transferred to the competent authority for any further necessary measures.”

The FCT Commander further warned all hotel owners to be more vigilant and do more to protect their guests and hotel facilities and ensure that their premises are not used as a place to commit crime.

The commander described the manner in which the victim was tied up by her captor as inhumane and warned all young women involved in ‘flinging’ to desist from such acts that endanger their lives.