Daud Olatunji
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a self-styled spiritualist, Odigie Moses, in Ekpoma, Edo State, over alleged sextortion and blackmail involving an Indian woman.
The suspect was accused of allegedly luring the woman into a nude online “spiritual cleansing” session, secretly recording the session and later demanding money from her under threat of releasing the video publicly.
The EFCC, in a statement on Friday, said its investigation followed a complaint involving the alleged online blackmail of the overseas victim.
According to the commission, Moses allegedly presented himself on the social media platform Zelle as a spiritual healer capable of solving serious personal problems through supernatural means.
The woman, according to investigators, contacted him for spiritual assistance over personal challenges.
The EFCC alleged that instead of providing legitimate spiritual services, the suspect manipulated her into participating in a naked spiritual bath during a live online session.
Investigators said Moses allegedly recorded the session without the woman’s knowledge or consent.
The commission further alleged that after obtaining the video, the suspect threatened to make it public unless the woman paid him money.
The victim was said to have eventually transferred $1,100 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the alleged release of the compromising material.
The EFCC said its investigation established that the payment was allegedly made under duress following threats by the suspect.
The commission stated, “The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, which he recorded live without her permission, and thereafter blackmailed her to send him money, else he would make the video public.”
The suspect remains in EFCC custody as investigations continue.
The commission said Moses would be arraigned before a competent court after the conclusion of investigations.
The arrest comes amid growing concern over the use of social media platforms to perpetrate cyber-enabled crimes, including sextortion, online fraud and blackmail.
The EFCC has repeatedly warned members of the public against individuals who use false identities and deceptive online personas to exploit unsuspecting victims.
In alleged sextortion cases, criminals typically obtain or induce victims to share sensitive personal materials and subsequently use threats of publication to demand money or other concessions.
The commission has also intensified its investigation of cybercrime cases involving Nigerian-based suspects and foreign victims, particularly where digital platforms are allegedly used to facilitate fraud and extortion.
The EFCC urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with strangers online, particularly individuals who demand money or request participation in unusual virtual rituals.
The commission advised members of the public to report suspicious online activities to law enforcement authorities rather than yield to blackmail demands.
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