Fugitive Nigerian Celebrity Claims Cryptocurrency Investments, Not Fraud, Behind Wealth

A fugitive Nigerian celebrity wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a body investigating corrupt practices and scams with affiliations to foreign anti-graft bodies, has been spotted in a video by South African TikToker Lwandi Zuma, claiming he made his money from cryptocurrency investments.

Oluwasegun Opaogun Akinola, popularly called Opa6ix, said in the video that he invested $300,000 in cryptocurrency. He mentioned he has been investing in crypto for the last seven years. However, a quick look at the EFCC website shows that Oluwasegun has been on the run from the EFCC since 2021.

Opa6ix, as he is fondly called, is among the much-celebrated Nigerian celebrities on the internet. Like Ramoni Igbalode and Hushpoppie, Oluwasegun is among the rich alleged internet scammers who flaunt their wealth online—a common trait among suspected internet fraudsters. In the video where Oluwasegun was spotted, he was seen with the latest Bentley Continental GT, worth 490 million Naira ($312,295.44). He had been spotted with different luxury cars in the past; some say he has over 20 cars in South Africa alone.

On the list of Nigeria’s richest Yahoo boys, a code name for fraudsters in Nigeria, which includes Ramoni and a host of others, Oluwasegun is number 14. He is being eulogized by notable Nigerian musicians and he’s an household name on Instagram with 600K followers. He had also in the past claimed to be a musician.

To avoid being found by Interpol for a possible offense, as it happened to Hushpuppie, Oluwasegun has made his Instagram account private. However, his footprints are still on the internet, where he continues to flaunt his allegedly ill-gotten wealth in different videos showcasing various exclusive cars.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Oluwasegun has denied being wanted by the EFCC. He said he made his wealth legitimately and cautioned those spreading “unfounded” allegations against him, warning that they may be charged in court.

A number of Nigerians wanted by the EFCC are being harbored in South Africa, where they live ostentatious lifestyles out of the reach of Nigerian authorities. From there, they perpetrate online scams and seemingly remain out of legal reach.