FBI Dragged For Using 6 Nigerians To Publicize Crime Involving More Suspects From Other Nationality

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have come under heavy fire on social media for using six Nigerians to publicize an international crime involving more numbers of suspects from other nationality.

FBI had taken to its Twitter page to solicit help in finding the six men who are wanted for “their involvement in ​business​ email ​compromise (BEC) schemes resulting in over $6 ​million in losses”.

The six Nigerians were identified as Uzuh Richard, who is said to have spearheaded the operation, Alex Ogunshakin, Felix Okpoh, Micheal Olorunyomi, Benson Nnamdi and Abiola Kayode.

“Help the #FBI find ​six Nigerian nationals wanted for their involvement in ​business​ email ​compromise (BEC) schemes resulting in over $6 ​million in losses,” it wrote.

Help the #FBI find ​six Nigerian nationals wanted for their involvement in ​business​ email ​compromise (BEC) schemes resulting in over $6 ​million in losses. Read more about each defendant at https://t.co/Q1OToaIVsl​​, and submit tips at https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. #FugitiveFriday pic.twitter.com/67TZPHLgHA

— FBI (@FBI) June 27, 2020

However, Nigerians were not pleased that Russians, Chinese, Arabians, and other nationals were on the list according to the link provided, but only Nigerians were mentioned in the headline.

BBC and other news platforms also followed by placing the 6 Nigerians as the poster boys over 37 Arabians, 20 Chinese and 16 Russians who are all on the ‘wanted list’.

Below are some of the reactions on Twitter:

I counted 79 wanted criminals, almost 20 are Russian, about the same number are of Chinese origin (including syndicates), a sizeable number are Arabian etc. The minority black/Nigerian 6 of 79 instead made the headline. Is there a Nigerian agenda going on with the US government? https://t.co/MG0AEUQQof

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 27, 2020

I checked this list, there are 39 men of Arab origin, 16 Russians, 20 Chinese/Southeast Asian guys, and just 6 Nigerians.

But guess who FBI chose as the poster boys for this crime? The 6 Nigerians.

What “-ism” is this? https://t.co/VSDvG8ECDS

— Mayowa (@Mayoveli) June 27, 2020

You should never have to Nigerianise your headline over the criminal actions of 6 people. In that same America, for every Nigerian wanted for a crime, I’ll show you 100 making America a better country to live in.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 27, 2020

Racism at its peak.

This list has:
39 men of Arab origin
16 Russians,
20 Chinese/Southeast Asian guys
6 Nigerians.

But racist FBI has chosen the only 6 Nigerians as the poster boys for this crime.

Criminals are in every nation of the world but the moment you are black…..

— Tosin Olugbenga (@TosinOlugbenga) June 27, 2020

I will tell you on that list there are 79 Criminals :16 Russians, 20 Chinese ,6 Nigerians and 37 Arabians but the headlines has to be 6 Nigerians,Just to make Nigerians look bad to the rest of the world??‍♂️

To everyone hustling Legally in Nigeria May God bless your hustle.

— CHIEF, THE DADDY™?? (@Chief_umar) June 27, 2020

This issue of 6 Nigerians FBI used as poster for their wanted list just another example of how we have been helping them dent our own country image… They know we will help them scream it loud more than them..

This will continue to happen until we’re tired and “fight” back. pic.twitter.com/s4QUtlXUGu

— ?? King One X ?? ?? (@MrOneXMind) June 27, 2020

This sensationalizing bullshit is the reason I commended Dubai Police. They captured scammers of Nigerian descent and paraded them as “international cyber criminals.” FBI had to activate Nigerian nationality-baiting, with only 6 Nigerians out of 79 scammers of many nationalities. https://t.co/afHg8G0nvH

— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) June 27, 2020

There are lot of Nigerians doing legitimate businesses around the world and It’s painful because these few bad eggs keep overshadowing the efforts of others. That’s why the FBI used those 6 Nigerians as click bait, a deliberate attempt to ridicule the country. Smh.

— Omoniyi Israel (@__Omoissy) June 27, 2020

Many people condemning Nigeria in this comment section didn’t even click the link ,I just read it all and
there are 79 of them ;16 Russians, 20 Chinese ,6 Nigerians and 37 men of arabic descent.But they’re making Nigeria the subject of criticism coz of a few bad eggs

— Dehkunle Of Africa? ? (@Dehkunle) June 27, 2020

Since we want to stereotype and go mad.. Here is me helping @FBI to design the best poster for the World Wanted Criminal Conference 2020.

EXCLUSIVE LIST, but since selective picking is allowed, the 6 Nigerians are excluded from the poster. Enough of this MADNESS. RT Nigerians pic.twitter.com/0kkaqxyOvy

— Dr Peter Ikhianosimhe Imoesi (@DrPI_Imoesi) June 27, 2020

Everybody just dey use Nigeria to catch cruise sha?‍♂️79 criminals but FBI chose the 6 Nigerians in the list as headline? If big problem knack you for ground, small small ones go dey climb any how….This life no balance at all but no be their fault sha, Na the bad eggs among us?

— JIMOH, Ibrahim Kayode-KhaliluRahman GMNSE ??‍♂️ (@i_am_jik) June 27, 2020

KanyiDaily had reported that the six suspects aged between 32 and 37, were sanctioned for their alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that stole more than $6 million from US citizens.