$600K Fraud May Link To Global Scams
It’s alleged that the 63-year-old woman was defrauded of nearly $609,000 last year, leaving her financially ruined.
In August 2014, the Toronto Police Mass Marketing Section started a fraud-related investigation and evidence recovered identified the existence of the victim, who was allegedly conned in the first half of last year.
At a news conference at police headquarters on October 22, Detective Sergeant Ian Nichol said Toronto Police investigators worked with the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service after significant linkages were uncovered during their investigation.
“The subsequent joint investigation determined the identities of persons responsible for the cross-border laundering of proceeds of crime for what is alleged to be a criminal organization,” he said. “It’s alleged that the proceeds were obtained via a variety of fraudulent schemes directed against members of the public. Victims were encouraged to wire funds to a number of bank accounts. The funds were subsequently laundered and disseminated back to the persons directing the fraudulent schemes.”
On October 7, Financial Crimes members, with assistance from Peel Regional Police, executed a search warrant at a Mississauga residence and arrested Ikechukwu Amadi, 34. Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, and Lineo Molefe, 31, both of Toronto, were also arrested, the same day, for their respective roles and were jointly charged with offences in relation to the romance fraud allegedly committed against the elderly victim.
The trio are charged with fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime, while Ighedoise is also charged with participating in a criminal organization.
Nichol said that, during the course of the investigation, it became apparent that he was a member of “Black Axe,” a transnational organization with affiliates in major cities across the world. It’s alleged that he was actively laundering the proceeds of crime with/for other “Black Axe” members for monetary benefit.
It’s alleged that Ighedoise used the alias Martin Acker Jr. and claimed to be a United Nations representative. The ruse was supported by the use of forged UN identification by Ighedoise dating back to 2011.
Ighedoise made a court appearance, today, while Amadi was released on bail and Molefe was released on recognizance at the time of arrest.
Detective Constable Mike Kelly said the victim is economically devastated.
“We visited her during the winter and the heat in her home was barely on,” he said. “She was wearing a hat and mittens. She is economically ruined and, at her age, it is difficult to make that money again.”
Kelly encouraged family members to stay in contact with elderly relatives to ensure they are not victimized.
“It’s very hard to think objectively,” he said. “Most people are under some form of stress. Most of the people who are victims of this have some vulnerability… I would certainly say to family members that if you have someone who is vulnerable, stay in touch with them. If you see them becoming secretive or they are becoming detached from you, I think you should become concerned. These are things you need to be aware of as these things are happening more often.”
Based on their own investigation and assistance from Toronto Police, the FBI recently indicted six individuals in a vast wire-fraud and money-laundering conspiracy where they allegedly attempted to defraud victims of more than $5 billion.
Ighedoise and Amadi are among the six who have been charged and U.S. law enforcement has expressed their intention to seek extradition once the Canadian cases are closed. Additional U.S. indictments are expected.
Anyone who has had dealings with anyone using the name Martin Acker Jr. is asked to contact D/Const. Mike Kelly at (416) 808-7824.
Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Toronto Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
