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Alleged Nigerian cybercrime kingpin in South Africa arrested over $12 million fraud

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INTERPOL, in collaboration with the US Secret Service, South African Police and other agencies, has arrested an alleged Nigerian cybercrime kingpin, James Aliyu, in connection with $12m romance scam and business email compromise fraud.

Aliyu was arrested in a luxury Sandton estate in South Africa on Wednesday, June 29 and arraigned in the Randburg magistrate’s court.

According TimesLive, the Nigerian national is well known in SA social circles and on Instagram thanks to his lavish holidays and excessive spending on luxury items for him and his girlfriend.

His social media posts where he flaunts his wealth have gained him 17,000 followers on his Instagram account Oldsoldier.

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Read Also: Nigeria’s new hiphop star, Portable granted bail after reporting himself to police

His spending came to an end when Interpol agents arrested him at his house situated in a luxury Sandton estate, bringing to an end five years of alleged scamming activity.62bddf802cd68

According to law enforcement sources, after an almost six-year-long investigation into the alleged scammer’s activities, he was arrested thanks to a multi-agency investigation that included Interpol, the US department of homeland security investigations and the US Secret Service.

Sources claimed Aliyu has allegedly been in contact with several major convicted and suspected fraudsters from around the world and that he is considered a major player.

Among the fleet of luxury vehicles he allegedly bought with the proceeds of alleged fraud were a Porche Cayenne, a Mercedes C220d and a Mercedes-Benz G Class luxury SUV. His social media profiles also depict him on luxury island resorts and luxury holidays in Dubai and the US.

Aliyu is alleged to be part of an international syndicate, some of whose members have already been convicted in the US.

Aliyu came into the spotlight in August last year when Sunday World reported that he accused SA actress Khanyi Mbau’s boyfriend, Terrence Kudzai Mushonga of defrauding him in an elaborate luxury R1.2m-vehicle scam.

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According to the article, Aliyu believed a R720,000 Mercedes and a R500,000 Jaguar which he bought from Mushonga were stolen and hijacked by criminals he claimed had worked for Mushonga.

He claimed that Mushonga, a Zimbabwean national, approached him and introduced himself as Dick Lefa Nzula from SA.

Aliyu said Mushonga gave him copies of his SA driver’s licence, smart card ID and vehicle papers, for the change of ownership and registration of the cars to his name.

Aliyu also told Sunday World the documents he was given for the vehicles were fake. But Mushonga claimed he would not repay Aliyu because the money he received from Aliyu were the “proceeds of crime”.

The Sunday World quoted him as saying that he was “wanted by the FBI for scamming Americans millions of rand”.

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In March 2020 the SA Reserve Bank confiscated R231,000 contained in Aliyu’s Standard Bank account under Exchange Control Regulation 22E.

Aliyu is expected to appear in the Randburg magistrate’s court next Tuesday July 5, where proceedings for his extradition for trial in the US are expected to start.

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Ghanaian footballer, Yaw Yeboah proposes to girlfriend, Gifty Boakye

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Yaw Yeboah proposes to girlfriend, Gifty Boakye

Ghanaian fashion model, Gifty Boakye has revealed on her birthday that her boyfriend and Ghanaian midfielder, Yaw Yeboah has officially proposed marriage to her.

Gifty shared photos of the happy moment when the Major League Soccer star, who plays for the Columbus Crew, popped the question ‘Will you marry me question?” in front of family and friends.

 

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Yaw Yeboah won two trophies with Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew in 2023. The former Ghana U23 captain scored the winner as the Gold and Blacks defeated Los Angeles FC to win their third MLS title. Yeboah also starred in the Eastern Conference final as Columbus Crew came from two goals down to beat city rivals FC Cincinnati at the TQL Park. Yeboah, who made 37 appearances scoring four goals and providing five assists in the 2023 campaign, was rewarded with an invite to the Black Stars ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gifty Boakye was born in the USA to parents who had immigrated from Ghana. At the age of 16 her dark complexion created drive and passion in her to begin to model and further to inspire young girls to love the skin they’re in. Today I enjoy sharing my story .life as a model, Entrepreneur, philanthropist, & public speaker now living in Accra Ghana.

After receiving my degree in communications arts from St Johns University, I started my first company NVTIVE in 2017 an online Boutique that pays homage to international cultured in apparel & art. In 2018 I founded Sister S.L.A.Y a nonprofit that empowers young girls ages 11-18 through educational workshops and self-confidence rebuilding.

Fun facts about Gifty, she can rap almost any Jay Z record word for word. She loves spending time with family& friends. Her favorite food is Waakye and in 2017 also Gifty reigned as the face of festival AFROCHELLA. Her guilty pleasure is gummy bears. She was also in a relationship with Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey.

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Rema Sparks Big 3 Debate in Nigerian Music Scene

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The Nigerian music scene is buzzing with discussions about the ‘Big 3’ artists, with Olamide, Davido, and Wizkid being the most frequently mentioned. (more…)

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“I produced most of the biggest hit songs in Ghana last year” – Beatz Vampire claims the crown ahead of TGMA 2024

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Showbiz and showboating go hand in hand and Beatz Vampire is sticking to the script. As one of the industry’s most sought-after producers, he confidently declares 2023 his own and believes none of his peers even come close heading into the Telecel Ghana Music Awards 2024.

Despite the prominent awards show just a month away–June 1, Beatz Vampire is already anticipating a clean sweep under its rebranded glory. His gaze is set on one of the night’s most coveted achievements: the “Producer of the Year” award. And with four hits credited to him under three artists in the previous year alone, it is easy to see why he is confidence levels are stratospheric.

Last year, the young producer was all over the place. His work on JZyNO and Lasmid’s ‘Butta My Bread’ was a mega success, bringing over 160M streams across platforms. The song’s popularity on TikTok also got under the skin of artists like Nigeria’s Ruger, who tried to downplay its quality and appeal. Beatz Vampire chased this down with equally catchy tracks like ‘Goodsin,’ ‘Likor’ and ‘I Lied,’ which garnered similar acclaim. 

Indeed, Beatz Vampire has a good chance of winning the award. Since the nominations list dropped, his name has been on the lips of fans who showed their support. The producer chimed in on his fans’ sentiments, saying: “I feel honored even though this was expected. I produced most of the biggest hit songs in Ghana last year, from JZyNO and Lasmid’s ‘Butta My Bread’ to Olivetheboy’s ‘Goodsin,’ Kidi’s ‘Likor’ and ‘I Lied,’ so it’s only right I am handed the award on that night. Big shouts to the rest of the nominees though.”

Of course, Beatz Vampire is no stranger to the hype around prestigious awards. In 2022, he was nominated “Producer of the Year” at the Ghana Music Awards USA and Ghana Music Awards France. His contributions over the years, like Jahmiel’s ‘Beautiful,’ P-Square’s ‘Jaiye,’ Shatta Wale’s ‘Hajia Bintu’ and ‘1 Don,’ Mr Drew’s ‘Mood’ and ‘S3k3,’ Lasmid’s ‘Atele’ and ‘Sika,’ among others, were super hits of their time. But this year in review is a special one. He believes after so many years of missing out, the award is coming home.

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As the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (formerly the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards) draws close, Beatz Vampire stands on the cusp of glory.

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Gospel singer KODA passes on, after reportedly battling a kidney disease

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Gospel singer, Kofi Owusu Dua Anto popularly known as KODA is dead.

He died on Sunday after reportedly battling a kidney disease.

Tributes, especially from gospel musicians started flying on social media on Sunday when they heard about KODA’s passing.

Some musicians expressed shock when they heard about the death of the gospel stalwart.

Among those who expressed their shock were, Empress Gifty, who posted on Facebook: “I hope it’s not true, KODA,” with crying emojis.

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Speaking to Graphic Showbiz on Sunday afternoon, Gospel musician Nii Okai, a very close friend of KODA said, “I wish I could tell you another thing but that’s the truth. KODA is dead”.

He said it was quite shocking to him considering that KODA was doing very fine after going through treatment.

KODA, celebrated for his uplifting melodies and soulful compositions, was not just a singer but a producer who left an indelible mark on the Ghanaian music scene.

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WATCH: Irene Logan sings ‘At Last’ as she dances with her husband at their wedding reception

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Irene Logan sings 'At Last' as she dances with her husband at their wedding reception

Ghanaian singer, songwriter, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Irene Logan has tied the knot with her sweetheart, Prince! (more…)

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Lagos police arrest gay gang of criminals, who raped their male victims

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The police in Lagos have recorded a breakthrough by arresting eight members of a vicious gang of criminals that specialize in subjecting their victims to several hours of anal sex after dispossessing them of their properties and cash.

The arrest, said to be one of the biggest successes of detectives recently, under the watchful eyes of Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade so far, was made in the highbrow areas of Lekki, Ajah and Ikoyi areas of the state and efforts are in top gear to round up fleeing members of the dreaded gang made up of young men between the ages of 23 and 40.

Giving details of the operational strategies of the gang, police sources said the young men usually perpetrate their evil acts by renting living apartments in the highbrow areas of the city after which they embark on search for their victims.

It was learned that they normally place notices in strategic areas of the city, advertising job vacancies and acting as estate agents.

Sources said desperate job and accommodation seekers who respond to their adverts would be taken to their apartments usually situated in one of the booming estates where they are subjected to all kinds of torture with a view to forcing them release their account details after which they would be forced into several hours of anal sex by members of the gang.

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According to sources, their operational method is to roam around with exotic cars including high flying SUV’s. They place fake advertisements in strategic areas of Lekki, Ajah, Banana Island and even Ikoyi after which they also scout around, looking for fine and healthy-looking men.

As soon as they succeed in getting a victim, they drive the person to their apartment where they torture him for hours. While torturing their victim, they would extract all information about him including his financial status.

“As soon as they are in possession of those personal facts, they swing into action by proceeding to his house or banks to empty his money and other valuables. The second round of their operation is to subject their victim to hours of anal sex which they take turns to have their fill. They usually record their exploits on video and later relax to view it while enjoying their loot.”

It was gathered that their criminal exploits were blown open after they succeeded in cornering and maltreating a relation of a mobile police officer. The enraged officer was said to have gone to one of the police stations at Lekki to lodge the report.

Based on this development, the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade gave marching orders to his special squad to round up the criminals without delay.

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The Special Squad, it was learned, succeeded in penetrating the gang and rounded up seven of their members including their oldest member said to be a lawyer.

Crime Guard learned that during interrogations, members of the gang who were looking unruffled stated boldly that their victims were healthy looking young and old men that will satisfy their sexual urge through the anus.

“They reportedly shocked detectives when they confessed that they had been operating for over three years and that they choose highbrow areas where they could easily track well nourished and endowed men.

Police sources said: “They were boasting to us about how many healthy looking men they have abused through the anus. They said they reject men that are not looking health, stating emphatically that they have no business with women. After their arrest, we confined them in separate cells so that they would not descend on our male suspects inside the cell.

“However, few days later, one of them raised alarm that the oldest member of the gang who claimed to be a lawyer was having same affair with a member of the gang. When we accosted him, he said the relationship had been going on since they have been operating as a gang.

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“Our greatest problem now is that some members of the devilish gang have escaped and we strongly suspect that they must be carrying on with their devilish criminal acts wherever they are.

“We are spreading our dragnets and we are sure that very soon, we will round all of them up. I must state that if not for the swiftness with which our Commissioner directed the operation, many men in Lagos state would have been endangered species by now.”

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