Police Bust International Certificate Forgery Syndicate In Lagos

Police Arrest Suspected International Fraudsters Over Forged Certificates in Lagos

The Nigerian police in Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, have apprehended two individuals suspected of forging certificates from various international and African universities. These suspects, identified as Elvis Osakpolo Edokpain (23) and Kelly Osas Endgieen (24), were also involved in extensive online fraud schemes that have enabled them to acquire luxury vehicles and properties across the country.

Details of the Arrest

The suspects’ fraudulent activities came to light following credible intelligence received by the Anti-Corruption Unit of Zone 2. Acting on this tip, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegoke Fayoude, ordered an immediate investigation.

Detectives tracked the suspects to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and subsequently trailed them to a five-star hotel in Lekki, Lagos. They were apprehended while attempting to flee. Upon searching their luggage, forged documents were discovered, including:

A Blue Crest College, Ghana certificate belonging to Elvis Osakpolo.
An Academic City College ID card and academic transcripts.
Letters of recommendation and English proficiency from Blue Crest College.

Confession and Motive

Under interrogation, the suspects admitted to procuring the forged certificates through a female accomplice in Ghana. The primary motive was to secure Ghanaian residence permits under the guise of being students. They revealed they had paid a total of 26,000 Ghana cedis (approximately ₦2 million) for the fake documents.

The suspects further disclosed that their fraudulent schemes included online romance scams, impersonation, and using fake foreign bank accounts for fraudulent transactions, often referred to as “Facebook bombing.”

How the Scam Worked

The suspects posed as “Captain Donald Rowe,” an American soldier on a peacekeeping mission in Syria, to dupe unsuspecting victims online. They promised victims access to high-value goods supposedly stationed in Syria and collected payments through blockchain wallets or foreign accounts, which were later funneled into Nigerian bank accounts.

Their victims, primarily from Japan, Denmark, and China, were lured into transferring funds under false pretenses.

Attempted Bribery and Ongoing Investigation

During interrogation, the suspects attempted to bribe the police with ₦66 million, which was recovered as evidence. The police are now collaborating with the Ghanaian embassy and Interpol to apprehend other members of the syndicate operating internationally.

Lessons for the Public

The suspects admitted to turning to fraud due to financial hardship but urged youths to avoid shortcuts and work hard to achieve success. They regretted their actions and warned others against similar paths.