Two Nigerians busted in $500,000 racket scheme in Canada

Two Nigerians — Gbemisola Akinrinade and Adebowale Adiatu — have been arrested in Canada for allegedly enriching themselves with the proceeds from the sales of valid flight tickets to unsuspecting customers.

According to Canadian Police, the suspects fraudulently sold more than 250 airline tickets at a value of more than $500,000 in the racket scheme.

The majority of the customers, who purchased the tickets were from the Calgary area and the flights were primarily to Africa, a press release by the Peel Regional Police said.

The duo is facing charges bordering on fraud, conspiracy to commit an indictable offense, possession of property obtained by crime, obtaining by false pretenses, and unlawful use of a computer.

According to the police authorities, in many fraud-related cases, people in vulnerable situations are coerced, manipulated, and taken advantage of for the profit of the fraudster.

However, they urged individuals to properly source the website they are dealing with and verify its legitimacy.

“Anyone who recognizes or has information about this type of case is asked to contact the 21 Division C.I.B or Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 2133 or 3335 or to your local police service.

“Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting peelcrimestoppers,” it stated.