The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspected members of a fraud syndicate allegedly involved in impersonating high-ranking government officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of securing government employment, political appointments and other official privileges.

The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun, in Delta State.

The spokesperson for the command, Bright Edafe, who developed said Preliminary findings by the police indicated that the suspects allegedly exploited the identities of prominent government officials to convince their victims that they had access to the corridors of power and could facilitate appointments and other government-related benefits in exchange for money.

Among the public officials whose identities were allegedly used by the suspects are Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, Director of Protocol to the Governor of Delta State; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, identified in the police report as Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor.

Edafe said the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of the officials to perpetrate the fraud.

They were also said to have exploited a caller-identification application on mobile phones, which displays names associated with incoming telephone numbers, to create the impression that their calls originated from the government officials they allegedly impersonated, he said

The scheme, according to preliminary investigations, was designed to gain the confidence of unsuspecting victims by making them believe they were communicating with influential government functionaries capable of securing appointments and other privileges.

Bright Edafe hinted that in one of the alleged fraudulent transactions, the suspects reportedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of the sum of ₦5,475,000.

The money was allegedly obtained under the false pretence of facilitating the victim’s appointment as President-General of his community.

The police spokesperson did not disclose the identities of the alleged victim or the specific circumstances surrounding the transfer of the money. However, investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the operation and determine whether other individuals were defrauded through similar methods.

A search of the suspects’ premises reportedly led to the recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 automated teller machine (ATM) cards bearing different account holders’ names and one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, he added

The police also recovered documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals.

He said the recovered items are expected to assist investigators in tracing the financial transactions allegedly linked to the syndicate, identifying the owners of the accounts and SIM cards, and establishing whether other individuals were involved in the operation.

The discovery of multiple SIM cards, ATM cards bearing different names and financial documents has raised questions about the possible extent of the alleged network and the number of individuals who may have been exposed to the scheme.

The Command said investigations were ongoing to identify additional victims, uncover possible accomplices and determine the full scope of the suspects’ alleged activities.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying on caller-identification applications as conclusive proof of a caller’s identity.

He particularly warned against responding to financial demands from individuals who claim to be government officials or persons with the capacity to facilitate political appointments, employment opportunities and other official benefits.

The police commissioner urged members of the public to independently verify the identities of callers before engaging in financial transactions, stressing the need for caution whenever money is demanded in exchange for government appointments or privileges.

He also called on anyone who might have fallen victim to the arrested suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.

According to the Command, information from members of the public could help detectives identify other victims, trace the proceeds of the alleged fraud and apprehend any additional persons connected with the operation.
Police reaffirm commitment to fighting fraud

CP Erale reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating financial crimes and other forms of criminality in the state, assuring residents that efforts would continue to ensure that individuals found culpable are brought to justice.