The EFCC has handed over a duplex in Edo to an American woman who was duped by a Nigerian “Yahoo Boy”

On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex in Edo State, South-South Nigeria, to an American named Cheryldene Cook, who was duped by a Nigerian named Aisosa Ohue.

According to a statement issued by the commission on Friday, the property was recovered from Mr Ohue, also known as Frederick Leonard, who was convicted of Internet fraud by a Nigerian court.

In 2021, the convict stole N104 million from an American woman in a love scam while posing as a famous Nigerian actor, Frederick Leonard.

According to the EFCC, he lied to her about his feelings for her and his intention to marry her.

The EFCC also handed over N19 million, a Lexus E350 saloon car, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a Samsung A31 phone to the American at the EFCC zonal office in Abuja, in addition to the house in Ward 36A Amagba Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo.

The EFCC Zonal Commander, Adebayo Adeniyi, and the Head, Advanced Fee Fraud Section 1, Jimoh Rauf, presented the items to Ms Cook, who flew in from the United States.

According to the EFCC statement, Ms Cook thanked the commission for the recovery while accompanied by her lawyer, Mike Nwosu.

After Mr Orhue was convicted of obtaining money by false pretence, Justice C.E Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, ordered the forfeiture of the house, money, and other items in January.

The EFCC has been cracking down on Nigerian fraudsters who have amassed illegal fortunes by defrauding women, mostly foreign nationals, who seek love online.

In June, the commission arrested a young Nigerian man, Ifechukwu Makwe, in Abuja for allegedly defrauding a Spanish woman of €5.7 million after meeting on social media in 2013.

Mr Makwe duped his victim into thinking he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in the United States.