EFCC returns fraudulent recovered assets worth $180,300 to Canadian Gov’t

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned 53 vehicles and $180,300 in stolen assets to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, marking a significant step in cross-border cooperation to combat fraud.

These assets were recovered after being stolen from Canadian citizens in various fraudulent schemes. During the handover ceremony in Abuja, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed that $164,000 of the recovered sum was taken from a Canadian woman, Elena Bogomas, through a romance scam, while $16,300 was fraudulently obtained from another victim, Sandra Butler.

Olukoyede praised the collaborative efforts between Nigeria and other countries in the ongoing fight against corruption, crediting this international partnership for the successful recovery.

“We are here today to witness the handover of assets recovered on behalf of Canadian victims of cybercrime. The operations have taken a couple of years and have resulted in a substantial recovery,” Olukoyede said.

“It is important for us to let our colleagues and friends from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police know that as an agency, the EFCC, and as a country, Nigeria is always ready to fight financial crimes. Nigeria should not necessarily be seen as a hub of financial crimes. It is a transit town, as are Canada and most countries across the world because people move from one jurisdiction to another.

“This is also a demonstration that the Nigerian government will never tolerate any act of financial crime.”

He added that, “In total, 53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims. In one instance, $164,000 was taken from Elena, and $16,300 was also recovered. These will be handed over to the Canadian police to return to the victims.”

The EFCC Chairman promised to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets for victims of financial crimes.