The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones and other electronic devices linked to a convicted internet fraudster, Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze, to the Federal Government.
Justice Yellim S. Bogoro issued the order on Monday, November 9, 2026, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement, the EFCC identified the vehicles as a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG and a grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG.
The electronic devices listed in the forfeiture order include an orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, a silver Samsung Fold 7, a blue iPhone 13 and a silver iPad.
The commission said the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to the EFCC, the application was filed through its counsel, C.C. Okezie, and supported by an affidavit sworn by an operative, Buluebiere Karamo.
The affidavit disclosed that the commission had received intelligence alleging that Arinze headed a syndicate of internet fraudsters operating in Lagos.
It further alleged that Arinze used the identity “Tonya” on iMessage to contact victims in the United States and persuade them to create foreign financial accounts, including Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
The EFCC said Arinze allegedly instructed the victims to transfer funds received through the accounts to a Chinese national identified as “Chinko Applepay”.
Upon receiving the funds, the Chinese national allegedly transferred their naira equivalent to Arinze’s Kuda Bank account. Arinze was then said to have distributed the money among other members of the syndicate while retaining 10 per cent as commission.
An analysis of his Kuda Bank account reportedly revealed total inflows of ₦2,149,495,381.42 between August 2022 and February 2026.
The commission also said investigations showed that Arinze operated 49 Gmail accounts, alongside several Facebook and Instagram accounts, which were allegedly used for fraudulent activities.
The affidavit further stated that Arinze was arrested on April 20, 2024, during a sting operation at Remi Olowude Street, Lekki, Lagos, alongside several other individuals.
Following the investigation, he was charged before the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on computer-related fraud.
According to the EFCC, Arinze pleaded guilty and was convicted on June 5, 2024, by Justice Aneke, who ordered him to maintain good behaviour and desist from further involvement in cyber-related offences.
However, the commission alleged that he violated the terms of the judgment by continuing to engage in money laundering and computer-related fraud after his conviction and payment of the option of a fine.
The EFCC said fresh intelligence prompted another investigation, during which it discovered that the properties listed in the forfeiture application had allegedly been acquired with proceeds of fraudulent activities committed after his earlier conviction.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 17, 2026, directing the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper to give interested persons or organisations an opportunity to explain why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Moving the application for final forfeiture, Okezie told the court that the EFCC had complied with the directive by publishing the interim order in The Guardian newspaper on September 16, 2026.
She added that no individual or organisation had come forward to challenge the forfeiture or show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Consequently, Justice Bogoro ordered the final forfeiture of the listed assets to the Federal Government.
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