In a recent court hearing, investigator Dein Whyte from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, shed light on how Visa, a card payment platform, uncovered suspicious transactions linked to Nigerian singer Naira Marley.
As disclosed in a statement shared by the agency on their X account on Friday, Whyte, the 10th witness in the singer’s trial on Thursday, revealed this information before Justice Nicholas Oweibo at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The investigator shared that forensic analysis exposed malicious programmes on Naira Marley’s device, obtained upon his arrest, which were used to illegally acquire credit card details. These programmes facilitated transactions without the physical presence of the card.
Additionally, tools on the device were identified, masking the user’s location when connected to the internet.
Whyte explained, “Tools used to verify the validity, active state, and accuracy of credit card credentials, as well as the region of the issuer of that card, were discovered on the defendant’s device. The analysis further revealed the websites accessed on the defendant’s computer, including sites where credit card information is illegally traded.”
Quest Times further reports that the witness disclosed that both the recovered phone and laptop were registered with Naira Marley’s credentials, name, and email address.
Investigations revealed the singer exchanged credit card details with others, and notably, one card reported fraudulent usage flagged by Visa.
Whyte, led by the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, also clarified that these card details did not belong to Naira Marley and were not issued by any financial institution.
During cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Whyte confirmed Visa’s investigation flagged the card for fraudulent transactions.
However, Visa did not directly link the credit card fraud to Naira Marley’s device, emphasizing Visa as a payment platform, not a telecommunication company.
Moreover, Justice Oweibo adjourned the case to March 6 and 7, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
Naira Marley therefore faces an 11-count charge, including conspiracy and credit card fraud, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
See post below:
Internet Fraud: Witness Reveals How Visa Flagged Naira Marley's Credit Card for Fraud
The 10th prosecution witness, PW10, in the trial of Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, (a.k.a Naira Marley), Dein Whyte, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on… pic.twitter.com/CVGrKXvi27
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) December 1, 2023
Nigerians aired their views on the recent development with the following comments:
dammygtnet: “Emefiele and Naira Marley just dey change prisons. Law should take its full course.”
Brainz777: “So this guy has been into fraud too I thought is only drugs”
AdeOrireMD: “Dem don mark this guy. Nah from one security agency to the other now until dem find something”
Enifex_logos: “Naira marly cray fish don bend”
Enifex_logos: “Can someone summarize to me in football terms?”
DeCryptolord: “@officialnairam1 na yahoo guy,if not, why should he be in possession of the scam tools found in his laptop. But you’re presume innocent until found guilty by the court. One word is £nough”
Ayoze_best: “Don’t do fraud, it will tarnish your image. If you can’t afford to go school learn vocational works.”