Nigerian nabbed for online scam

MANILA, Philippines - A Nigerian man was arrested for allegedly being involved in an online scam during an entrapment at a motel in Ermita, Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

NBI Anti-Fraud Division chief Cesar Bacani identified the suspect as Awa Vitalys Njinwa. The victim, an Australian man, told the NBI he received an e-mail from a company saying that his aunt in London passed away and left him an inheritance worth three million pounds (approximately P180 million).

The victim said he was required to pay P800,000 up front to the firm before he gets his inheritance. When he went to Manila to meet Njinwa, he said he was required to pay an additional P5.5 million.

The victim said after he paid the fees, the suspect refused to give him his inheritance. When he checked on the company Njinwa allegedly represented, the firm was non-existent. He went to the NBI for help.