TheCable

A suspected fraudster who impersonated Mr Wilson Amarachi, secretary of the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agency spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said on Friday.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Uwujaren disclosed that John Nze Madu, the suspect (pictured), was arrested at Diamond Bank, Ojudu branch in Lagos, “where he went to withdraw proceeds of his fraudulent activities”.

“Investigation showed that Madu defrauded Wu Qingzhu, a Chinese national of the sum of $5360 when he allegedly posed as barrister Wilson Amarachi and deceived the Chinese into believing that he had outstanding payments to collect for contracts executed for the Nigerian government,” he explained.

“This he achieved by presenting the Chinese with fake documents from ranking Nigeria officials. He allegedly used different email addresses, two documents purportedly from the Daily Sun Newspaper, an official gazette purportedly signed by President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President, David Mark and an international passport data page purportedly belonging to Amarachi.”

He added that Madu contacted Qingzhu through an online message, informing him that he was expected to open a non-residence account in Nigeria and make payment of $300, and Qingzhu complied, making two other payments: $1430 and $3650 through Western Union.”

Uwujaren said that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of  investigations.