Delta: Police nab three suspected fraudsters for impersonating top govt officials

Three suspected fraudsters 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 have been arrested by the police in Delta.

The suspected fraudsters, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, aged 51 years, Moses Exist (48) and Benjamin Owah (49), were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun.

According to a statement by the state police public relations officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Tuesday, the suspects succeeded in defrauding a community leader from Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state of ₦5,475,000, under the false pretence of facilitating his appointment as President-General of the community.

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The statement said 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, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delta State, among others.

The suspects, the statement added, 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.

“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, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, 1 Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals. “

Meanwhile, the state police commissioner, Samuel E. Erale, has cautioned 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, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that those found culpable are brought to justice.