Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
In a scheme riddled with deceit, broken trust, and a web of financial manipulation, an Italy-based Nigerian businessman, Basonie Sylvester Charles, has accused his in-law, Austin Jefney Omeike, and three others of orchestrating a fraudulent operation that saw him lose a staggering sum of N155.46 million.
According to a petition exclusively obtained by SecretsReporters, Basonie, who owns multiple registered businesses, including Transportline NCC Di Basonie Sylvester Charles and BS Center Money Transfer in Italy, as well as Basonie Charles Ventures in Nigeria, fell prey to an elaborate scam masterminded by his in-law and a syndicate posing as wealthy international businessmen.
The Bait: A Loan and a Currency Exchange Deal Gone Wrong
It all began on February 15, 2024, when Austin Jefney Omeike, a supposed family member, reached out to Basonie, pleading for a loan of N3 million to kickstart a housing project. Promising repayment in four months, Basonie obliged. However, the plea did not end there; the next day, Austin requested an additional N3 million, citing unforeseen expenses. Trusting his in-law, Basonie disbursed another N3 million, bringing the total loan amount to N6 million.
Fifteen days later, the con game escalated. Austin introduced his cousin, James Sunny Idemudia (alias Ken), as a UK-based businessman who owned a house worth £500,000 and had euros available for exchange at a favorable rate. Sensing a lucrative business opportunity, Basonie agreed to a currency exchange deal.
On March 7 and 8, 2024, his business partner, Sokoya Samuel Olusola (alias Kola), wired a whopping N84 million in installments to an account provided by James, belonging to one Oluwaseun Dania. However, when Kola went to collect the euros at a designated location, he was met with a web of lies. The supposed white businessman who was to finalize the exchange had mysteriously “disappeared,” and the euros were nowhere to be found.
The Grand Deception: A Second Wave of Fraud
The fraudsters did not stop at N84 million. They convinced Basonie that the only way to retrieve the lost funds was to inject more money into the scheme, claiming it was needed to complete the transaction and lure the so-called “white man” back. Hesitant but desperate, Basonie and his clients transferred another N71.46 million into the same account from March 12 to March 14, 2024.
On March 15, James called Basonie, claiming he was en route to collect the exchanged funds. However, after going radio silent for several minutes, he reappeared with yet another sob story—he had already transferred the newly received USDT (cryptocurrency) to the “white man.” It was only later that a verification process revealed that the supposed cash exchange was a bundle of fake notes—worthless paper dressed as currency.
A Web of Lies Unravels
In a desperate bid to escape justice, the fraudsters turned the tables, with Oluwaseun Dania filing a petition against Basonie, claiming he was the real fraudster. The case was taken to the Nigeria Interpol, where officers attempted to coerce Basonie into writing a statement against himself. However, upon realizing that his in-law, Mr. Henry Eboh, was also a serving police officer, they backtracked and asked him to return in two days to file his own petition.
The depth of deception was further exposed when Austin’s wife, Stella Ekinadose Omeike—who is also related to Basonie by marriage—admitted to tipping off her husband about Basonie’s financial dealings, knowing that he frequently conducted business in euros. Meanwhile, despite their claims of being cash-strapped, Austin and his wife were reportedly shipping four cars from the USA to Nigeria during this entire ordeal.
Cry for Justice
Basonie has since traveled to Nigeria four times—March 6, June 12, November 20, 2024 and February 2025 — incurring heavy financial losses while seeking justice. His frustration mounts as he demands a full investigation and prosecution of Austin Jefney Omeike, James Sunny Idemudia, Oluwaseun Dania, and all those involved.
The fraudulent transfers were funneled through a Providus Bank account under the name Alpha Geek, with account number 9626868261.
Evidence of these transactions, including receipts and WhatsApp messages, were seen by our Reporter. Below are some of the transactions receipts.
