The Toronto Police Service, in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, has successfully recovered and returned $225,000 to a victim defrauded in a cryptocurrency investment scheme orchestrated by Omonkhoa Precious Afure, a Nigerian national.
The victim was scammed out of more than $355,000 in cryptocurrency in 2021.
This development, disclosed in a press release by the Toronto Police Service, underscores the critical importance of international cooperation in tackling cross-border cybercrimes.
How the Fraud Occurred
The scheme began in June 2021, when the victim was contacted via Facebook by an individual using the name “Moshe Theodor McNigh.”
The suspect gained the victim’s trust and persuaded them to invest in cryptocurrency through a platform known as Legacyfxtraders.online. This resulted in the victim losing an estimated $355,000 in Canadian funds. By late 2021, Nigerian law enforcement confirmed the fraudulent activities and launched an investigation.
Collaborative Efforts and Recovery
Over three years, Toronto Police worked with multiple agencies, including:
- The Coordinated Cyber Centre (C3)
- The 51 Division Fraud Unit
- The Financial Crimes Asset Forfeiture Unit
- The Ontario Provincial Police’s Anti-Rackets Branch
- The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Liaison Officers in Nigeria
- Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
These efforts led to the seizure of assets by Nigerian authorities. In December 2024, Nigerian courts declared the funds to be the victim’s property and ordered their return.
The EFCC arrested and charged Omonkhoa Precious Afure in connection with the scam. This case highlights Nigeria’s increasing capacity to address financial crimes and deliver justice to victims worldwide.
Rising Threat of Fraud
Romance fraud and cryptocurrency scams are on the rise globally. According to the CAFC:
- In 2023, victims reported losses exceeding $52.5 million from romance scams.
- Investment fraud accounted for over $309 million in losses.
However, the Toronto Police Service cautioned that the actual figures may be far higher, as only 5-10% of victims report fraud to authorities.
Broader Context of Nigerian Crime
In a related matter, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) recently announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian national wanted for first-degree murder and severe child abuse in Rhode Island.
Olawusi, who has been on the run since 2017, is believed to have fled to Nigeria and is considered one of the USMS’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives. He is regarded as armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on Olawusi’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the USMS Communications Centre at 1-800-336-0102 or submit tips through the USMS Tips platform.