EFCC arraigns fake investor over $525,276 fraud targeting Americans in Uyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned one Victor Thompson before the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over an alleged $525,276 investment fraud involving several American nationals.

Thompson was brought before Justice Maureen Adaobi last week Thursday, on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly posed as an investment facilitator and convinced his victims to part with large sums of money under the guise of investing in mineral resource mining and a deep seaport business in Nigeria.

The victims named in the charge include Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad and other foreign nationals described as joint unsuspecting investors.

One of the counts alleges that Thompson, between April and December 2024, fraudulently obtained $213,350 from the victims while falsely representing that the funds would be invested in viable mining and maritime infrastructure projects.

The Commission said the alleged act was carried out with intent to defraud and within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The charge reads in part that the offence is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, following a violation of Section 1(1)(b) of the same law.

When the charges were read in court, Thompson pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, Joshua Abolarin, prosecution counsel, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in custody pending the conclusion of the case.

However, defence counsel, Savn Daniel, made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.

Adaobi adjourned the matter to March 19, 2026, for the determination of the bail application and the commencement of trial.

The court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the EFCC’s detention facility in Uyo pending further proceedings.

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