$250,000 Scam: Fake World Bank Staff Arrested for Allegedly Duping Kenyan Couple

The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has arrested one Agbor Martins Black-Diamond (alias Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins), for allegedly scamming a Kenyan couple, one Mr. Julius Kithome and Ms. Cynthia Kithome of a total sum of USD $250,000.

Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, who disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, said that the suspect falsely represented himself as an official of the World Bank and other US-based donor partners and made the couplento part wirh the sum over three years for purported registration and administrative fees meant to unlock donor funding.

“In an intelligence-led operation, the NPF-NCCC has dismantled a sophisticated cross-border fraud syndicate, following actionable intelligence received from the East Africa Sub-Sahara Africa Safe Promotion (EA-SSASPF) Foundation, a registered NGO in Nairobi, Kenya, one Mr. Julius Kithome and Ms. Cynthia Kithome, were introduced to the suspect by one Rev. Edy Ndeto in Nairobi.

“The suspect, Agbor Martins Black-Diamond (alias Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins) , falsely represented himself as an official of the World Bank and other US-based donor partners.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the complainants relying on the fraudulent claims, transferred a total of USD $250,000 over three years for purported registration and administrative fees meant to unlock donor funding.

“No funding was ever secured. Instead, the suspect organized sham symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa.

Advertisement

“In 2024, he further induced the victims to secure a bank loan against their family property to access a non-existent $850,000 empowerment fund in Ghana.

“Thorough investigation and financial analysis confirmed substantial inflows from the Kenyan victims, including $57,975 between February and July 2023.

“The suspect was arrested on 31st March 2026, and his entity, Black Diamond African Beauty Restoration Foundation, was found unregistered in Nigeria, prompting him to register United African Continent Limited in November 2024 to legitimize his illicit activities.

“Further findings indicate the suspect extended his fraudulent scheme to local farmers in Kuje Area Council, collecting ₦50,000 each under the guise of empowerment and capacity building.

“Similarly, on 3rd April 2026, the NPF-NCCC, following a complaint by Lex Excellentia on behalf of Mr. Emmanuel Enwelu of NewLife Ventures Makurdi, arrested one Chinedu Mbachu, a former employee.

“The suspect was accused of unauthorized modification of computer systems, cybersquatting, and diversion of funds.

Advertisement

“He confessed to have used his personal bank accounts to receive customer payments intended for the company, one samsung A6 Plus Mobile Phone, NIN Paper Slip, NIN Digital Slip were recovered from him.

“Furthermore, the NPF-NCCC following a petition received by a private company about allegations of financial misconduct in the company arrested two suspects namely, Ayodele Daramola, aged 31, an employee of the company, and one Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, 29 year-old for criminal Conspiracy, Breach of Data Privacy, Business Email Compromise (BEC), Unauthorised Access to Computer Network, Fraud, Money Laundering, and Forgery.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that between May and December 2025, Ayodele Daramola, an employee in the position of Investment Booking, conspired with Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi a non-staff member to fraudulently divert company funds.

“The suspects allegedly siphoned a total sum of ₦85,000,000.00 by exploiting internal systems and channelling the funds through a commercial bank account belonging to Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi.

“From the proceeds, 21% approximately ₦17,850,000.00 was retained by Dada Babatunde, while 79% approximately ₦67,150,000.00 was transferred to an online bank account linked to Ayodele Daramola.

“Further investigation established that approximately ₦61,000,000.00 received by Ayodele Daramola was expended on online gambling and betting platforms.

Advertisement

“A cash sum of ₦4,000,000.00, one unserviceable Lexus ES350 (Reg. No. Lagos JJJ878JZ), one Dell Laptop, one iPhone 13 Pro Max were recovered from the suspects.

“Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to recover the remaining funds and prosecute all parties involved in accordance with the law”.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in his remarks, reiterated that Nigeria is not a safe haven for cybercriminals and that the Force will relentlessly pursue all persons, domestic or foreign, who exploit technology, internal systems, and cross-border partnerships for fraudulent purposes.

He assured the public and the international community of the NPF’s commitment to protecting the digital economy and bringing all perpetrators to justice.