How H-Money pulled off $1m scam from prison, attended parties – EFCC

A convicted internet fraudster, Hope Olusegun Aroke aka H Money, who is currently serving a 24-year jail term at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos, is again being investigated by EFCC for allegedly masterminding a $1million scam from prison.

A statement by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, on Tuesday, reads: “He allegedly pulled the heist right from prison using a network of accomplices, some of them targets of fraud and money laundering investigation. .

The lid on his latest fraud exploits from Kirikiri was blown following intelligence received by the EFCC. The immediate riddle that confronted the EFCC was how it was possible for the convict to continue operating from prison. .

Preliminary investigation revealed that the convict, against established standard practice, had access to internet and mobile phone in the Correctional Centre where he is supposed to be serving his jail term. .

Even more puzzling was the finding that Aroke got himself admitted to the Nigeria Police Hospital, Falomo, Lagos, for an undisclosed ailment. And from the hospital, he would move out to lodge in hotels, meet with his wife and two children and attend other social functions. .

The circumstance of his admission into the hospital and those who aided his movement from the hospital to hotels and other social engagements is already being investigated by the EFCC. .

For a felon supposedly serving a jail term, investigation revealed that the Aroke used a fictitious name, Akinwunmi Sorinmade, to open two accounts with First Bank and GTB. .

He also bought a property at Fountain Spring Estate, in Lekki, in 2018 for N22million and a Lexus RX 350 2018 model registered in his wife’s name, Maria Jennifer Aroke. .

The convict was also in possession of his wife’s bank account token in prison, which he used to freely transfer funds. Further investigation revealed that, while on trial in 2015, he bought a four bedroom duplex at Plot 12, Deji Fadoju Street, Megamounds Estate, from Lekki County Homes, Lekki, for N48m.

Aroje was arrested in 2012 s and sentenced to 24 years in prison in 2016.”