In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Nigeria's football community, Mr. Moses Oluwabunmi Egbebi, a self-proclaimed sports agent and head of O&E Group Sports Management Limited, has been accused of defrauding Mr. Dipo Rufai of TheTasAfrica and his affiliated football club, Gaiters FC, to the tune of over €43,000 (approximately 70 million Naira). The funds were purportedly collected for registering the team in the prestigious Gothia Cup 2025 tournament in Sweden, but the club was never enrolled, and forged documents were allegedly used to perpetuate the scam.
The allegations came to light through a viral video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by sports enthusiast and commentator @c_mobike, who detailed the ordeal in a 10-minute exposé. According to the account, Rufai was introduced to Egbebi in December 2024 via a recommendation from seasoned journalist Lolade Adewuyi, formerly of SoccerNet. The partnership seemed promising at first, with Gaiters FC aiming to participate in the youth tournament known as the "World Youth Cup."
Payments began in January 2025, with Rufai and his team transferring funds for registration, accommodation, and other logistics. Everything proceeded smoothly until May 2025, when Egbebi claimed the Gothia Cup organizers had decided to handle visas, flights, and itineraries directly to prevent players from absconding. This raised red flags, as tournament organizers like Gothia and Dana Cups do not typically manage visa processes or travel arrangements.
Egbebi then billed an additional €22,000 for these services. Rufai paid €11,000 upfront, withholding the balance until proof of visa appointments and itineraries was provided. When no evidence materialized, Rufai contacted the Gothia Cup organizers directly. Their response was damning: Gaiters FC was not registered for the event, and all documents provided by Egbebi were fake. The organizers confirmed they had no knowledge of Egbebi or his company.
Confronted with these findings, Egbebi reportedly offered no substantial defense. Rufai informed the journalist who made the introduction, who then publicly distanced himself from Egbebi and warned others about his activities. Efforts to secure a refund have been futile, with Egbebi allegedly blocking communications and relocating from Austria to Croatia, where he continues his operations.
In the video, @c_mobike reached out to Egbebi for his side of the story. Egbebi described the issue as "complex" and claimed it was under legal review, advising against public discussion. However, Rufai refuted this, stating no court case exists. Police reports have been filed with Nigerian authorities, the Austrian police, and Interpol, and Egbebi's bank account was temporarily blocked following a petition.
This isn't an isolated incident. Social media reactions to the video include multiple users labeling Egbebi a "serial scammer." One commenter on Instagram claimed personal experience with similar fraud, stating, "Bunmi Moses Egbebi is a scammer zero integrity he scammed a lot of pple. Moses is very fraudulent." Another X post from @c_mobike highlighted "countless stories" of fraud, calling Egbebi a "fraud masquerading as a FIFA licensed agent."
Gaiters FC, a Lagos-based youth club partnered with TheTasAfrica—a platform for sports data and talent development—had to pivot to the Dana Cup instead, but the financial loss has left the team devastated. In Nigeria's challenging economy, losing over 70 million Naira is a severe blow to young athletes' dreams.
Egbebi's O&E Group Sports Management has been linked to various football dealings in Europe, including partnerships with Austrian clubs like SK Bischofshofen. However, his X profile (@oegroup_sports) appears inactive or non-existent, and attempts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful.
This case underscores the risks in Nigeria's sports industry, where aspiring clubs often rely on agents for international opportunities. Experts advise direct communication with tournament organizers and thorough background checks to avoid such pitfalls.
ReportNaija reached out to TheTasAfrica and Gaiters FC for further comment. Rufai emphasized the need for accountability: "This isn't just about the money; it's about the shattered hopes of young players." As investigations continue, the football community calls for swift action to protect vulnerable teams from predatory agents.