By Chucks Nwonye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist in Edo State for alleged sextortion, after investigators said he lured an Indian woman online, recorded her in a compromising position, and then demanded $1,100 to keep the video private.
The suspect, identified as Odigie Moses, was picked up by EFCC operatives in Ekpoma, Edo State, following weeks of intelligence gathering and tracking of financial trails linked to the case.
According to the EFCC, Moses presented himself on an online platform — identified in initial reports as Zelle — as a man with “spiritual healing powers” capable of solving life-threatening problems. Zelle is primarily a United States-based digital payment service, and the Commission said the suspect likely used the name to appear credible to his target.
The victim, an Indian national, had reached out to him in desperation for spiritual intervention. Investigators allege that Moses convinced her to perform what he described as a “naked spiritual bath” as part of the cleansing ritual.
It was during that session, the EFCC said, that the suspect secretly recorded her without consent.
“After obtaining the recording, he turned around to blackmail her,” an EFCC source familiar with the case told this newspaper.
According to our source, “He threatened to make the video public if she did not send him money. Out of fear and shame, she ended up paying the sum of $1,100, approximately One Thousand, One Hundred Dollars, to him.”
Sextortion — a form of cybercrime where perpetrators coerce victims into sending sexual images or videos and then extort money with threats of exposure — has become one of the fastest-growing online fraud schemes targeting people across borders.
In this case, the EFCC said Moses exploited both cultural beliefs in spiritual solutions and the anonymity of the internet to gain the victim’s trust. Once he had the compromising footage, the leverage shifted entirely to him.
The Commission said it commenced investigation after receiving a report through its international cybercrime cooperation channels. Tracking of the suspect’s digital footprints and financial transactions eventually led operatives to Ekpoma, where Moses was arrested without incident.
Items recovered during the arrest have been taken in as exhibits, and the EFCC said forensic analysis is ongoing to determine if other victims are involved.
The anti-graft body confirmed that Moses remains in custody and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
“Members of the public, especially those seeking help online, are advised to be wary of individuals who promise miraculous solutions in exchange for privacy and money,” the Commission stated. “No genuine spiritual leader will demand nudity or secret recordings as part of any ritual.”
Moses’ case is another proof of a growing trend of transnational sextortion where Nigerian-based actors target victims abroad, often using romance scams, fake spiritual services, or job offers as bait.
The suspect, as gathered, could face charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, which prescribes stiff penalties for cyberstalking, extortion, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The Act also provides for restitution to victims.
The EFCC has in recent years intensified its clampdown on cyber-related crimes, setting up a dedicated cybercrime unit and partnering with foreign law enforcement agencies to trace funds and extradite suspects where necessary.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have had similar encounters with the suspect to come forward. They also advised the public to report suspicious online contacts to the EFCC through its official channels rather than engaging further with the individual.
The Commission reiterated that cybercrime not only ruins reputations but also damages Nigeria’s image internationally, and that it will continue to pursue perpetrators regardless of where their victims are located.
