THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced last Sunday the arrest of three Nigerian nationals believed to be involved in the so-called “love scam” targeting unsuspecting Filipinas online and defrauding them of large sums of money.
The arrested Nigerians were identified as: Shaka Hashimu Dirisu, 41; Anih Chinedu Miracle, 27; and, Gabriel Daniel Evans, 31.
BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato S. Manahan Jr. said the suspects were arrested last February 16 in coordination with personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the strength of a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente.
“We are also investigating their links to a South African organized crime group and other scamming and fraud activities, as well as looking into possible cohorts that are still in the country,” Manahan said.
The three, according to the BI, have been using several aliases to prevent arrest. Their documents also showed that they are already overstaying.
The three face deportation cases for overstaying, misrepresentation, and for being undesirable aliens, in violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended.
It can be recalled that two Nigerian nationals were also arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation early this year for their alleged involvement in an online banking fraud that affected at least 700 clients of a major banking institution.