EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets to Australian Victim of Romance Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer, Odey Steven Aleka, to an Australian victim, Karo Rita Kazzi, through her lawyer, Blessing Nwankwo.

The assets, presented by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Wednesday, include a gold wedding ring, gold chain with a cross pendant, iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 SUV, and a one storey building containing six self contained apartments located along the Emedu Awoyaya axis of Ajah, Lagos State.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of economic and financial crimes through the recovery and restitution of fraudulently obtained assets.

The assets were forfeited following a final court order granted by Justice O. O. Abike Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on March 12, 2024, after Aleka was found guilty of romance scam and obtaining by false pretence.

Investigations revealed that the convict fraudulently obtained money and valuables from the victim, whom he had married, through false representations. After investigations, the EFCC prosecuted Aleka, who was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦1 million fine.

Following the completion of all legal processes, the recovered assets were released and officially handed over to the victim through her legal representative as restitution.