A Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones, and electronic devices belonging to convicted internet fraudster Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the order on Monday, November 9, 2026. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the application.
The forfeited items include a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG and a grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG. Authorities also seized an orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, a silver Samsung Fold 7, a blue iPhone 13, and a silver iPad.
Investigators stated these assets were acquired using proceeds from unlawful activities.
Federal High Court, Lagos today ordered the Final forfeiture order on assets linked to convicted internet fraudster Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Seized: • White Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG • Grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG • Orange iPhone 17 Pro… pic.twitter.com/5qb8ahuS7M
EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie filed the application, supported by an affidavit from operative Buluebiere Karamo. Intelligence revealed that Arinze led a Lagos-based fraud syndicate.
Operating under the identity “Tonya” on iMessage, Arinze allegedly instructed US victims to open foreign financial accounts via Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App, and Venmo. Funds were directed to a Chinese national known as “Chinko Applepay,” who then credited Arinze’s Kuda Bank account with the naira equivalent.
Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Two Luxury Mercedes-Benz Vehicles, Electronic Devices to FG Justice Yellim S. Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Monday, November 9, 2026, ordered the final forfeiture of two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones and… pic.twitter.com/9Rj8TOk6YY
Arinze retained a 10 percent commission and distributed the rest. Kuda Bank records analyzed by investigators showed total inflows of N2,149,495,381.42 between August 2022 and February 2026. He also operated 49 Gmail accounts alongside multiple Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Operatives arrested Arinze during an April 20, 2024 sting operation on Remi Olowude Street in Lekki, Lagos. He pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of computer-related fraud.
Court Orders Forfeiture of Two Luxury Mercedes-Benz Cars and Gadgets Linked to Lagos Big Boy to FG The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and four electronic devices linked to convicted internet fra¥dster, Ifeanyi Franklyn… pic.twitter.com/4PQvbuztBO
Justice Aneke convicted him on June 5, 2024, ordering him to be of good behavior and to cease cyber offences. The EFCC asserted that Arinze breached those terms by continuing money laundering and computer-related fraud after paying his fine.
Fresh intelligence prompted a new investigation that tied the newly forfeited properties to crimes committed after his conviction. The court issued an interim forfeiture order on July 17, 2026, and required publication in a national newspaper.
Okezie confirmed that the commission published the notice in The Guardian on September 16, 2026. No individual or entity came forward to contest the forfeiture.
