Nigerian singer, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, says he used to scam banks long before the infamous 419 phenomenon gained prominence in Nigeria.
Charly Boy was responding to a question about the worst thing he had ever done.
Responding, the singer said, “I used to be a thief. I was scamming banks. Even before una begin to hear of 419, I don do small.”
The former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), however, declined to provide specifics.
The singer said he carried out the fraudulent acts abroad where he was without parental supervision. He also described his past behaviour as stupid and dumb.
“Yes, of course. We do not want to get into the how. I just told you the worst thing I have done,” he added.
“It was not in Nigeria o, I could only do this thing because I was away from my parents’ prying eyes. I had nobody to answer to and I wanted to get my own. Though that was not the right way and I don’t advocate that people should… I was just stupid and dumb.”