The National Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, today praised the South African Interpol members, on the speedy arrest of a Nigerian national wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud (Internet Fraud) to the value of $ 20 000 000 (US) / ± R150 00 000 million.
Our Interpol office mobilised its members after receiving a request from the FBI on 27 September 2011 to arrest Ezenwa Ugo Chukukere (41). The subject was tracked down to the Hatfield area where he was meeting a contact.
During this meeting, the task team intercepted and arrested the Chukukere. During the arrest, the suspect was found in his possession of cash, keys to his residence and a key card from a local hotel. He was also found in possession of an emergency travel case with travel documents and an undisclosed amount of cash. This bag was meant to be used by the suspect to leave the country in a hurry to evade police arrest. A further search was conducted at the hotel where several other exhibits were seized.
Chukukere was detained at a station in Pretoria and is currently awaiting an extradition trial to the United States of America.
The suspect will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 3 October 2011for the enquiry of extradition to the United States of America. Interpol will be apposing bail and further progress regarding this matter will be reported.
“Chukukere’s arrest further underlines the integrated approach of the world’s police forces to close the net on criminals and crime globally,” said General Bheki Cele. “Let this be a reminder to individuals and syndicates that their world of crime is becoming smaller and smaller,” warned Cele.
Enquiries:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Tel: (012) 400 6573
Tel: 082 567 4153
E-mail: naidoov@saps.org.za
General Bheki Cele praises Interpol SA for nabbing a multi-million rand international fraudster
