EFCC arrests Instagram comedian, Pankeeroy over fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested popular Instagram comedian, Nwagbo Oliver Chidera, popularly known as Pankeeroy.

Pankeeroy, with over 500,000 followers on Instagram, was arrested in Lagos State with 34 others for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.

EFCC said he was arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the Commission.

They were arrested on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at their hideout in James Court, Lekki, Lagos following verified intelligence received by the Commission over alleged criminal activities.

Until his arrest, Chidera, who claimed to have gone into Bitcoin scam after he suffered depression, had been presenting himself as a vendor who redeems bitcoin vouchers using the bitcoincoretrading.com platform to allegedly defraud his unsuspecting victims.

Upon his arrest, a Mercedes Benz AMG GLE model worth N36, 000,000 was recovered from him.

Investigations also revealed the suspect has N22, 300,000 worth of Bitcoin in his blockchain account.

Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars, Iphones, laptop computers, Android devices and Macbook devices.

Names of some other suspects arrested along with Pankeeroy are: Chinedu Omesu Christian, Gafar Kunle Adedamola, Chuka AnieboRichard, Dibo Ayomide Samson, Rotimi Segun Damilola, Habeeb Banire Damilola, Afolabi Bolutife Michael, and Adekanbi Elijah Adeola among others.

The suspects will soon be charged to court, according to the EFCC.