…Hands over recovered monetary asset to Spanish Ambassador
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led by its Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, has successfully recovered and handed over €5,100 (Five Thousand, One Hundred Euros) to the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell. This sum was recovered from a Nigerian romance fraudster and returned to the victim, Heinz Burchard Einhaus Uchtmann, a Spanish national, in collaboration with the Spanish Police.
At a formal handover ceremony in Abuja, Olukoyede expressed the EFCC’s appreciation to the Spanish government for its continued support and cooperation with Nigeria, noting that this recovery demonstrates the strength of the bilateral relationship between both nations and their law enforcement agencies.
“I want to thank you for the support you have provided over the years, and for encouraging Spanish investors to engage with Nigeria. This event today is a testament to the collaboration between our countries, particularly in law enforcement,” Olukoyede said.
He emphasized the growing need for international partnerships to combat internet-based crimes, which often cross borders and involve victims and perpetrators from different countries. “Financial crimes have become borderless,” he explained. “Criminals operate across countries, affecting victims globally, and it’s essential that we work together to ensure that Nigeria is not a safe haven for fraudsters. We are committed to cleansing the global financial ecosystem from corruption and criminal activity.”
Global Financial Crimes Require Global Solutions
Olukoyede highlighted the vast resources controlled by criminal networks worldwide, even surpassing the wealth of some industries. He called for increased cooperation among governments to combat this threat and ensure that fraudsters, particularly those involved in romance scams or sextortion, are brought to justice.
“With this investigation, we were able to recover €5,100 for your citizen, Mr. Uchtmann, who was a victim of a romance scam. This transfer of recovered funds is a formal recognition of our ongoing collaboration, and we aim to take our partnership with Spain to even greater heights. On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we are pleased to hand over these proceeds of crime today,” he stated.
Spain Commends EFCC Collaboration
Ambassador Sell expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the EFCC and the Spanish Police, applauding the successful recovery and handover as a prime example of effective international collaboration. He praised the EFCC for its determination and professionalism in bringing justice to the Spanish victim.
“This is a special moment because we are seeing the results of hard work and collaboration between two countries that are close friends. International crimes demand stronger cooperation between agencies and countries, and today’s event is a proud reflection of that partnership between Spain and Nigeria,” Ambassador Sell remarked.
He also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration beyond the operational level, suggesting future cooperation in training, information exchange, and other areas that could further strengthen ties between the EFCC and Spain’s law enforcement agencies.
“Romance scams are particularly heinous crimes because they prey on the goodwill and emotions of the victims. I’m happy that today, we’ve delivered justice to one such victim, and we hope to strengthen our cooperation to prevent future cases,” Sell concluded.
The event was attended by top officials of the EFCC, a delegation from the Spanish Police, and other stakeholders, underscoring the mutual commitment of both nations to combat international financial crimes.
