The International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, has detained James Aliyu, a Nigerian big boy living in South Africa, on suspicion of defrauding $12 million.
He was apprehended on Wednesday, June 29, in his opulent Sandton mansion in connection with around R196m in alleged romance scamming and business email breach fraud, according to TimesLive.
Due to his extravagant vacations and extravagant spending on expensive products for him and his girlfriend, the defendant, who made an appearance in the Randburg magistrate's court shortly after his detention, is widely known in South African social circles and on Instagram.
Law enforcement officials state that the suspected scammer was apprehended after a nearly six-year investigation into his actions involved Interpol, the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Secret Service.
According to sources, Aliyu is regarded as a big participant and has contacts with a number of prominent convicted and suspected fraudsters from around the world.
He is accused of using stolen money to purchase a fleet of expensive cars, including a Mercedes C220d, a Mercedes-Benz G Class luxury SUV, and a Porsche Cayenne.
His social media accounts also feature images of him on lavish island resorts and vacations in Dubai and the US.
Aliyu is thought to be a member of a global organization, some of whose members have previously received prison sentences in the US.
On Tuesday, he is anticipated to appear in the Randburg magistrate's court, when the process for his extradition to the US for trial is anticipated to begin.
