By Chuks Peter, DELTA
A 400-level student from the Department of Banking and Finance at Delta State University, Abraka, has been arrested for conspiring with an accomplice to defraud his father of N5.2 million.
The student, Nelson Eserada, along with Jerry Lawrence from Jeddo community in Warri, executed a fake kidnapping scheme to extract money from his father.
Nelson Eserada allegedly faked his own kidnapping, demanding his father pay a ransom of N50 million to secure his release.
According to a police statement issued by SP Edafe Bright, the Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, the ransom was to be paid through a Bitcoin account.
Nelson’s father eventually paid N5.2 million into the Bitcoin account belonging to Jerry Lawrence, the co-conspirator.
To make the kidnapping appear real, Nelson sent his father a video showing himself tied up and being tortured, hoping to elicit a swift ransom payment.
However, instead of complying with the full ransom demand, Nelson’s father reported the incident to the police in Abraka.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abraka police station, SP Fabian Ayameh, mobilised a team of operatives and fintech experts to investigate the case.
On Monday, June 10, they identified and arrested Jerry Lawrence, who owned the Bitcoin account where the ransom was paid.
Following the arrest, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, urged parents to be more committed to the upbringing of their children, emphasising that poorly raised children often become burdens to their parents.
He also advised youths to avoid the get-rich-quick mentality, stressing that crime does not pay.
“This incident serves as a stern reminder of the consequences of criminal behaviour and the importance of proper parenting and ethical conduct,” the statement added.
The community is shocked by this betrayal, particularly as it involved a scheme against a family member.
The police continue to investigate the case and are determined to bring all those involved to justice. Authorities encourage anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
