The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has handed over N290,200 recovered from fraudsters to the owner, Mrs. Imaobong Effiong Archibong.
A Guaranty Trust Bank cheque of the amount was presented to the victim at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Elvis Oglafa, on behalf of the ICPC Chairman.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr. Oglafa said the recovery and the handing over of the fund was in line with the responsibilities of the Commission.
He narrated that the problem started for Mrs. Archibong when her hard token ( an internet banking device) got blocked, prompting her to complain to First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Maitama branch, Abuja where she was told that the problem would be resolved.
The Secretary continued that, “The victim later got an email asking her to synchronize her phone with a certain link purportedly sent by First Bank of Nigeria Plc, which she did and also got a confirmation call from a “staff” of First Bank who asked her for her security details and she gave them out, not knowing that they were fraudsters. The fraudsters transferred the amount of N620,000 from her account to five accounts domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank and Keystone Bank.”
Mr. Oglafa added that, ‘When she alerted the Customer Care Unit of First Bank to notify them of the transfers, she was promised a recovery within 45 days from the day of complaint. The bank could only recover the sum of N170,700 after the 45 days had elapsed.
‘The victim brought her complaint to the Commission; we investigated and were able to recover the sum of N440,200 from the stolen amount. The first recovery was from a Keystone Bank account where the manager issued a cheque of N150,000 dated 21st September, 2015 which was handed over to the complainant and the second from a GTB account with a cheque of N290,200 dated 25th November, 2015 which we just handed over to her.”
The Secretary to the Commission therefore warned Nigerians to be wary of bank fraudsters and also advised the general public not to comply with directives from unverified sources seeking details of their personal bank account information.