A notorious Nigerian scammer who’s been serving his two-year prison sentence after being convicted of fraud has managed to pull off a $1 million heist from inside his jail cell.
According to the reports, Hope Olusegun Aroke, a convicted fraud, managed to smuggle electronic devices into Nigeria’s Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and pull off a $1 million online theft.
As members of the Anti-corruption office explained, Aroke couldn’t have come through with the plan without his “network of accomplices” who helped him get his hands on the necessary equipment via temporary release from the prison.
Just before the grand theft, Aroke was sent to Nigeria Police Hospital due to an “undisclosed ailment.” He was also permitted to see his family and stay in a hotel for several days.
As the officials suggested, this temporary freedom allowed him to “ply his ignoble trade” and get his hands on electronic gadgets required to pull off the heist.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the convict, against established standard practice, had access to internet and mobile phone in the correctional center where he is supposed to be serving his jail term,” Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced after Aroke’s actions were exposed.
“The circumstance of his admission into the hospital and those who aided his movement from the hospital to hotels and other social engagements is already being investigated.”
As for the theft from within the prison, Aroke used a fake name to somehow open several bank accounts and utilize them to purchase luxury homes and cars.
“[He was] in possession of his wife’s bank account token in prison, which he used to freely transfer funds,” the report added.
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Replaced!