Internet fraud: Witness reveals how Visa flagged Naira Marley’s credit card

In the ongoing trial of Nigerian musician Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, the 10th prosecution witness, PW10, Dein Whyte, an investigator from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Whyte detailed how Visa, a card payment platform, flagged a credit card linked to the singer’s device due to suspicious transactions.

Naira Marley faces an 11-count charge related to conspiracy and credit card fraud, brought against him by the EFCC. During the testimony led by the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, PW10 revealed, “Forensic analysis uncovered malicious programs on the defendant’s device, used to illicitly acquire credit card information for non-present transactions. Additionally, tools to obscure an internet user’s active location were detected.”

Whyte also disclosed the presence of “tools used to verify credit card validity, active status, accuracy of credentials, and the issuer’s region on the defendant’s device. The analysis exposed websites in the defendant’s browser history, including those involved in the illegal trading of credit card information.”

The investigator clarified that both the phone and laptop recovered from Naira Marley were registered in his name and email address. When asked about the findings on the credit card details, Whyte stated, “Investigations revealed that the defendant exchanged these details with other individuals.”

 

 

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