Sahara Reporters Latest News Saturday 24th August 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 24/08/19
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target=_blank>FBI List: South African Firm Educates Citizens On How To Avoid Nigerian ‘Romance Scams’
Following the announcement by United Stares authorities of charges against 80 people, most of them Nigerians, in a wide-ranging fraud and money laundering operation that netted millions of dollars from victims of Internet scam, Mercury, a South African online newspaper, has come up with useful tips to avoid falling victim to online scams.
Mecury reports that dating and romance scams are fast-growing areas of online fraud and there are a huge number of fake profiles on dating sites.
Full list of tips:
If you’re suspicious, Google the message text he/she sends to you – unlike spam, dating scams require a fair amount of work from the criminals – so they tend to cut corners. Often, the ‘romantic’ message you receive has been sent to dozens of other people. Put quotes around it and Google it, if it brings up results from former victims, you should start to worry. Ask advice from a site administrator, or a friend.
Don’t be ashamed to ‘play detective’ – millions of people use dating sites but they do carry risks that normal dating don’t. You don’t know whether the person you are speaking to is real, where they’re from, or someone different.
In the old days, you would often meet people via friends of friends but you don’t have this reassurance online. So, play detective. If they won’t tell you where they work, worry.
Likewise, if they keep asking questions about you but never answer any about themselves, worry. Search for them on LinkedIn or just via Google – it’s almost impossible not to leave traces online these days. If someone has not, they probably aren’t real.
If their photos are really glossy, be afraid – 0ddly, one of the giveaways that the messenger may not be, who they seem to be is that they look too good – as in, the photographs are professional. Few normal people would make this much effort but for a cybercriminal, the easiest way to create a fake profile is to use glamorous pictures from the web shot by professional photographers.
Don’t hand over information bit by bit – dating sites are a huge growth area for cybercrime and scams vary from simple cons where people are asked for money for visas to classic phishing. The problem is that handing over information is a normal part of romance but perfect for identity thieves. Until you have verified that the person is genuine, do not give out your address, ever, and if possible, limit other details such as workplaces and contact details.
Don’t share ‘racy’ photos with people you have not met. One variation of today’s dating scams is a simple one – blackmail. Do not hand over pictures you would be embarrassed to publish online, otherwise you’re at risk from blackmailers. Even racy messages can be a tool for criminals, particularly if you’re attached. Keep things clean until you know your ‘romance’ is real. Allowing someone to see you via webcam or to for instance undress on webcam is particularly risky.
If your messenger sends you a photo, which you need to click on, worry – a Nigerian ‘scam factory’ exposed by Brian Krebs used various methods to defraud wannabe lovers but one was to promise an image but instead send a file containing a banking malware. Keep antivirus software running and be wary of profiles without images in the first place. If they have an image, ask them to add it to their profile.
Don’t be persuaded to switch to another social network, email or IM – millions of people use dating sites and the ‘big’ sites are facing epidemic levels of fake profiles, phishing and other scams, so cybercriminals will often persuade victims to switch to another site either a social site or simply email. This way, they can continue the fraud in private.
If you think, “it’s all happening so fast”, it’s time to worry – dating scams are one of the few areas of cybercrime where gangs play a ‘long game’ – sometimes stringing victims along for weeks or months. But most are impatient to be paid, so any online ‘lover’, who declares undying love in the space of a few emails should be regarded with extreme suspicion.
Do not send money, ever – the ‘red flag’ moment comes when your ‘lover’ asks for money. Do not send it – whether it’s for flights or for life-saving surgery, even if the story is so tragic you feel that you must help.
If the subject of money comes up early in the relationship, be wary. If someone outright asks for a bank transfer, you may well be dealing with a criminal. Speak to site administrator if possible.
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target=_blank>N20bn Fraud: Prosecute Okorocha, Others, Rights Group Tells EFCC
Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, a rights advocacy group, has called for the prosecution of Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State, over an alleged N20bn contract fraud.
This was contained in a petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by the group.
A project document had shown how Okorocha awarded N20bn contract to Zigreat International Company Limited, a firm that failed to meet all procurement requirements.
In a petition signed by Okere Nnamdi, its director, and addressed to the anti-graft agency, the group alleged that Okorocha directed one Eze Enwereaku and Duru Onyeobi to register a company named Zigreat International Company Limited.
The petition reads, “Rochas Okorocha merely used the company to perfect his looting of Imo treasury by appointing/recommending who are the signatures to the company’s bank account and this put him in direct control of the finances paid into the company’s account through the award of fake and over-inflated contracts.
“Within a period of six years, Zigreat International Company Limited executed so many over-inflated contracts which were not formerly bided and published in newspapers (due process) as required in the Procurement Act and thereby corruptly avoided probity, accountability and transparency in the entire procurement processes.
“The entire contracts awarded to Zigreat International Company Limited breached the law by avoiding pricing standard that ensures fair competition, transparency, value for money in public sector procurement.
“Please kindly investigate the actual cost of the contracts executed and recover the inflated resources/amounts paid to the contractor and pay the money back to Imo State treasury,
“Arrest and prosecute all person found to have taken part or benefited in these illegal and over-inflated contracts by the Okorocha administration in Imo State.”
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target=_blank>Nigerian Government To Censor Online Radio, TV Stations
The Nigerian Government has expressed readiness to control online radio and television stations, adding that the move became necessary to curb fake news.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the announcement on Friday in Abuja.
In a statement by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, Mohammed said, “I just want to use this opportunity to inform you that Mr President has already approved a review of the Broadcast Code that is going to take care of many of the issues you have already raised here.
“In particular, the President has approved that online television stations and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria, will be licensed because we must bring sanity into this industry.
“Mr President has also approved a wide range of reforms in the industry which, at the appropriate platform, I will let you know.”
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target=_blank>Rape: COZA Pastor, Fatoyinbo, Explains Why He Shunned PFN Panel
Founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, on Friday said that he did not appear before a panel set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria to investigate allegations of rape against him by Busola, wife of musician, Timi Dakolo, because it appeared biased.
Fatoyinbo, who spoke through his senior assistant, Ademola Adetuberu, added that he was advised by his lawyers not to appear before the panel because it was prejudiced and may not conduct an impartial session.
Adetuberu said, “We recall that when Pastor Fatoyinbo was invited by a phone call a few days ago by Pastor Akinola Akinwale, who is the National Administrative Secretary of PFN, we explained that our pastor would not honour the invitation due to legal advice hinged on the ongoing police investigation.
“The legal advice was also premised on the press statement issued and personally signed by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, where our pastor was publicly disowned.
“Based on the foregoing, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the PFN was already prejudiced and may not conduct an impartial session.”
Though Fatoyinbo said that the panel did not make a written invitation to him, he stated that he would appear before the panel after the conclusion of the police probe into the rape allegations.
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target=_blank>Impeachment: CJ Constitutes Panel To Investigate Kogi Deputy Governor
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Friday constituted a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against deputy governor of the state, Simon Achuba, by the state’s House of Assembly.
According to Ajanah, the constitution of the panel was in line with the provisions of section 188 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Chairman of the panel is Mr John Baiyeshea while Hajiya Bilikisu Basher, Mr William Aliwo, Canon Z. Asun, Alhaji Isa Adeboye, Muhammed Aikoye and Mr Ada Shaibu are members.
Ajanah said that the panel would be inaugurated on Monday, September 26 at the state High Court complex in Lokoja, the capital.
Recall that the state House had during its plenary on August 20 called on Ajanah to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Achuba.
The House made the request following adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Abdullahi Bello-Balogun, calling for investigation into the allegations towards impeachment of the deputy governor.
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target=_blank>Nigerian Gets 46 Months Jail Term For $8M Fraud In US
Ayodeji Temitayo Fatunmbi, a 47-year old Nigerian, has been sentenced to 46 months imprisonment in the United States for his involvement in a health care fraud.
According to the US Department of Justice, Fatunmbi was found guilty of a Durable Medical Equipment scheme in which more than $8m was fraudulently billed to medicare for DME that was not necessary.
US District Judge, Christina Snyder, of the Central District of California, convicted and sentenced him accordingly.
He was also ordered to pay $1,076,893.15 in restitution.
In a statement by the Department of Justice, Fatunmbi pleaded guilty on May 8, 2019 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The statement reads, “Fatunmbi was charged along with Olufunke Fadojutimi, 47, of Carson, California, and Maritza Elizabeth Velasquez, 44, of Las Vegas, Nevada.”
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target=_blank>Ogunoye Installed As 33rd Olowo Of Owo
Olowo of Owo, Ajibade Gbadrgesin Ogunoye (man wearing a blue cap).
Olowo of Owo, Ajibade Gbadrgesin Ogunoye (man wearing a blue cap).
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Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye on Friday became the 33rd Olowo of Owo Kingdom in Ondo State after an elaborate installation rites.
The traditional rites, which was attended by hundreds of residents of the town and well-wishers, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists, Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa said that the rites had to be performed according to the customs and culture of the ancient town.
Famakinwa, who is the Ojumu of Owo, said that the new king chose the sword of peace in the course of the rites.
He said, “Oba Ogunoye who is being installed today chose a sword which signifies peace.
“Traditionally, before a king is installed, he will have to choose a sword at Oke Mapo and it is believed that whichever one he chooses will tell how his reign will be.
“Coincidentally, he chose the same sword chosen by his father more than 30 years ago and the sword represents peace.”
Also speaking, Chief Idowu Oludaye, the Agba Omolowo, said it was a new dawn for the ancient town because there was a new king.
Oba Ogunoye was selected as Olowo after garnering 14 votes from the 15 kingmakers on July 12 following the demise of late Oba Victor Olateru- Olagbegi on April 18.
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target=_blank>FBI Suspect List: Omokri, Others Condemn #IgboYahooBoys Hashtag On Twitter
Nigerians are condemning a trend on Twitter with the hashtag #IgboYahooBoys, which emerged after the United States charged 80 people to court, mostly Nigerians and of Igbo origins, for a multi million dollars Internet scam.The hashtags have drawn widespread criticism for promoting hate and ethnic segregation.In his reaction, former media aide to ex-President Good luck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, via his official Twitter handle @renoomkri said, “It is wrong to cast aspersions on Igbos due to the names on the FBI’s suspects list.
“I don’t condone what they are alleged to have done. But Sani Abacha is the world’s biggest thief, yet a stadium is named after him in Kano. We’re all guilty!”Before you wrongly blame all Igbos for the FBI action, note that we have a governor caught on camera stuffing bribes in his pocket. He was re-elected, after the corruption hating General @MBuhari lifted his hands as his candidate. We are all guilty!”Another user with the handle @amejahlid, said, “Not from the Igbo tribe but actually calling out a particular tribe for a fraud is unfair.”
@I_am_Oara in his tweet attributed the origin of cyber crime to Nigerian politicians. He said, “Can we just pretend we don’t have #IgboYahooBoys in government?”Those caught by #FBI are their offsprings, their type have more chances of becoming governors, lawmakers and presidents than legit workers. This nation is sick, I hope we get well soon. #Nigerians.”@Jay5_beatz said, “Using #IgboYahooBoys to envelop your murderous tendencies has to be the joke of the century.
“I’d rather be identified as a fraudster than as a genocidal, blood thirsty Maniac.
“I hope broader investigation is carried out & we see if truly yahoo is exclusive to Igbos.”@princesswilson said, “Today is truly a fine day to show the intense tribalism that exists in our so-called one Nigeria. #IgboYahooBoys.”
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E2%80%93ncc target=_blank>Vandalism Affecting Telecoms Service –NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission says the spate of vandalism of telecoms infrastructure across the country has resulted in slowing the pace of growth of services.
The Director, Zonal Operations of the commission, Mrs Amina Shehu, raised the concern on Friday at a programme in Nasarawa.
She frowned at the state of vandalism, theft and hostility from some host communities, stressing that telecom facilities should be treated as collectively owned infrastructure.
Shehu, who was represented by Principal Manager, Zonal Operation, Abubakar Usman, said the telecom sector had contributed and recorded not less than 10 per cent growth in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
She said the programme was aimed at enlightening the public and other stakeholders on the need to protect telecom infrastructure within their communities.
She said it would also create awareness about the importance of telecommunication infrastructure and ensure that telecom consumers get satisfaction from the quality of service.
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BREAKING: Gunmen Abduct Anglican Bishop’s Wife
Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday kidnapped the wife of the Anglican Bishop of Ikeduru Diocese, Emmanuel Maduwuike, according to a report by PUNCH.
The victim, Anuri, was abducted on Thursday while on her way to Owerri in Imo State.
The prelate’s wife was accosted at Ekemele by the gunmen and was taken away to an unknown destination.
A source said, “Wife of the Anglican Bishop of Ikeduru Diocese, Mrs Anuri Maduwuike, was kidnapped yesterday (Thursday) by unknown gunmen.”
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident, adding that her abductors had yet to establish contact with her family.
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