American Man Arrested in Lagos for Defrauding Nigerians

It’s rare to come across such stories–that a white man has been arrested in Nigeria for 419, with Nigerians being his victims. Usually, it’s the opposite.

On Thursday, an Ikeja High Court remanded an American citizen, Marco Ramirez, at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for allegedly defrauding three Nigerians in a $565,000 green card and investment scam.

Mr. Ramirez pleaded not-guilty plea to a 16-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences. 

Via GraphicOnline:

The EFCC prosecutor, V. O. Aigboje, alleged that the accused, managing director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group – committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013. .

Mr. Aigboje said Mr. Ramirez fraudulently received $545,000 from Godson Echejue to invest in his company, Eagleford Instalodge Group, in order to procure an American green card (residence permit) for him (Echejue). .

He also allegedly received $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S., which was billed to make Mr. Umar eligible to obtain an American passport. .

The EFCC also accused Mr. Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu under the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American green card. .

After Mr. Ramirez took his plea, Mr. Aigboje requested that he be taken from the custody of EFCC to prison custody. “There are no bed spaces available in the commission. I apply that the defendant be remanded in prison custody,” she said. .