Instagram comedian, Pankeeroy, in EFCC net over alleged internet fraud

ONE of Nigeria’s most exciting online comedians presently making waves, Pankeeroy has been arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud. 

Pankeeroy, whose real name is Nwagbo Oliver Chidera, was paraded on Thursday, April 22, alongside 34 others.  

According to EFCC, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, April 21, at their hideout in James Court, Lekki, Lagos, following verified intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.

The commission said in a statement that Chidera, who claimed to have gone into a Bitcoin scam after he suffered depression, had been presenting himself as a vendor who redeems bitcoin vouchers using the bitcoincoretrading.com platform to defraud his unsuspecting victims.

A Mercedes Benz AMG GLE model worth N36,000,000 was recovered from him upon his arrest. It was also revealed by the commission the suspect has N22,300,000 worth of Bitcoin in his blocked chain account. 

Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars, iPhones, laptop computers, Android devices, and Macbook devices.

In an earlier interview with The Sun newspaper, Pankeeroy had revealed that he aims at becoming of Hollywood standard in his comedy career.

“I’m looking forward to exporting my talent to the outside world. It is my hope that my talent will pave the way for me to Hollywood where I can finally sit on the same bench with other global online comedians and create amazing contents with them.” 

Continuing, Pankeeroy, as he is better known to his teeming fans, declared his unalloyed love and devotion to the art and craft of comedy.

“I love what I am doing and I won’t mind doing it again if I have another life to live,” he avowed.

Prompted further, he said: “However, if I were to be something else, I think I will prefer to be a businessman. I have always loved doing business since I was a child.”