How Nigerian Man used 16 Phones to mastermind a $3m romance scam from a detention centre

A Nigerian man accused of masterminding a $3 million email fraud scam from inside a detention centre has been arrested, Dailymail UK reports.

Fisayo Oluwafemi allegedly ran the con from inside Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre, where police seized 16 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, identification information, and various electronic storage devices on Thursday.

The 43-year-old is allegedly the ring leader of a crime ring that targeted not only businesses, but women looking for love, police claim.

Under the alleged scam, emails were sent out from falsified or ‘spoofed’ email addresses encouraging recipients to reveal personal details such as credit card numbers, account names and passwords, officers said.

The emails also allegedly urged people to send money in exchange for love or goods.

On Thursday, Oluwafemi was taken to Bankstown Police Station after Strike Force Woolana investigators, assisted by Australian Border Force, searched the Villawood detention centre.

Strike Force Woolana was established to investigate organised criminal syndicates involved in fraudulent activities.

Oluwafemi was then charged with knowingly directing activities of criminal group, two counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and possessing identity info to commit indictable offence.

Police will allege in court he directed the scam and the group, which allegedly included two women and one man, all of African descent.

The funds were allegedly sent to Nigeria.

Oluwafemi was refused bail and is due to appear in Bankstown local court on Friday.

Harriette Bangura, 36, who is accused of working with Oluwafemi, was arrested by the strike force on September 4. She has been charged with 11 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Further raids led to the arrest of a man and woman on September 5, both 20, at the Chester Hill property. The pair are accused of working with Mr Oluwafemi.