The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has sounded a warning to the United States against stereotyping Nigerians in that country after the FBI released a list of 80 citizens of the West African country suspected to be involved in internet fraud. The body insists that the suspects may not be guilty.

The chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri, in a statement on Friday, said that the actions of a few Nigerians who had gotten involved in criminal activities do not represent the majority of people in the country.

A 252-count Federal Grand Jury Indictment which was unsealed on Thursday charged 80 Nigerians over fraud-related offences. This came a few days after the United State Bureau of Investigation (FBI) charged Obinwanne Okeke, the founder of Invictus Group, to court on allegations bordering on conspiracy to commit fraud of about $11 million.

The 80 Nigerians were accused of taking part in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars via several fraud schemes and also to launder funds through a laundering network based in Los Angeles.

The NIDCOM Chairman in the statement said that an accusation does not necessarily have to mean guilt even as she expressed all the suspects to be given a fair and speedy trial.

Those who were accused were, however, urged to turn themselves into the American authorities so that they could clear their name.
The commission said that a failure to do so could make the Federal Government extradite them if the relevant international treaties which stand between both countries are invoked.



See more here https://thickmatch.com/fg-warns-us-insist-80-nigerians-accused-fraud-innocent/