“I Turned To Fraud, Didn’t Want to Work for Salary” – Fraudster Worth $500,000 Confesses

A 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, has admitted to engaging in extensive fraud schemes, earning over $500,000 in just three years.

Speaking at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, Akpoguma revealed that he chose fraud over salary employment, citing his reluctance to work for a salary.

Akpoguma, a graduate of mechanical engineering confessed to exploiting victims through romance scams, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud.

With his illicit earnings, he purchased a GLE Benz worth ₦100 million and properties in Lagos and Edo State.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, disclosed that Akpoguma’s schemes involved impersonating high-profile individuals.

He posed as Colonel Matt Herbert, a U.S. Army officer, and Adam Taggart, a cryptocurrency expert, to deceive victims into transferring funds via Bitcoin.

To bolster his deception, Akpoguma created fake Instagram profiles and spent $11,200 on a silicone face mask to resemble his targets.

During his arrest, Akpoguma reportedly offered the police a $100,000 bribe to evade charges. The bribe was documented and included in the case evidence.

The investigation, initiated after complaints from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, has concluded, and Akpoguma will soon be arraigned in court.