By Ebinum Samuel
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 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 employment, political appointments and other government privileges.
The suspects, according to the police spokesman, SP Edafe Bright, 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. Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of prominent public officials, including 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 as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delta State, among others. They also allegedly exploited a caller-identification application on mobile phones, which displays names associated with incoming telephone numbers, to create the false impression that their calls originated from the officials being impersonated.
Edafe said that in one of their alleged operations, the suspects impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Governor of Delta State and defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of ₦5,475,000, under the false pretence of facilitating his appointment as President-General of the community. A search of the suspects’ premises led to the recovery of seven (7) mobile phones, seventeen (17) SIM cards, twelve (12) ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one (1) Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals. Investigation is ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices.
CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, therefore cautions members of the public against relying on caller-identification applications as proof of a caller’s identity, particularly where financial demands or promises of government appointments are involved. He urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information to assist the investigation. The CP reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that those found culpable are brought to justice.
