EFCC arraigns suspected fraudster over $12,000 romance scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office has arraigned Aretuemhen Frank (a.k.a Williams Rodgers) before Justice M. L Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on four- count charge bordering on false pretences, impersonation, possession of scam documents and obtaining money by false pretence.



Specifically, Frank was docked for allegedly defrauding an American lady, Thorman Benson the sum of $12000 in series of online dating deals.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Samuel Chime applied for a trial date to open his case, while the defence counsel, P.O Nworah, informed the court of an application for bail for his client.

Justice Abubakar granted the applicant bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety in like sum.

Frank’s ordeal began when operatives of the EFCC, acting on intelligence, raided his hideout and arrested him. An iPhone 6s plus was recovered from him.

Investigation revealed that Frank was representing himself as an American with the United States Army, using Max Allen as his identity. With the fraudulent identity, he succeeded in defrauding an American lady, Thorman Benson the sum of $12,000 by promising to marry her.