Fake Government Officials, Real Financial Losses: Delta Police Nab Three Suspects
By AMANDA EZE
Three Arrested Over Alleged Fake Appointment Scheme
THE Delta State Police Command has uncovered an alleged impersonation scheme involving three men accused of using the identities of senior government officials to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
Police said the suspects allegedly targeted people seeking government employment, political appointments and other official privileges. Following investigations by detectives attached to the Effurun Area Command, officers arrested Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51, Moses Exist, 48, and Benjamin Owah, 49.
Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the names of prominent public figures. The individuals allegedly impersonated included Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Sunny Onoriode, Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor; and Prince Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff at Government House.
By exploiting the names of these officials, the suspects allegedly sought to convince victims that they had access to influential government offices and could secure appointments or other benefits.
Community Leader Loses ₦5.47m in Alleged Fraud
One of the cases under investigation involves a community leader from Otu-Jeremi, who allegedly lost ₦5,475,000 after the suspects impersonated the Delta State Governor’s Director of Protocol.
According to the police account, the suspects allegedly collected the money by falsely claiming they could facilitate the victim’s appointment as President-General of his community.
In addition, police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed that the suspects allegedly used a caller-identification application to make their telephone numbers appear under the names of the officials they claimed to represent.
Although such applications can display names linked to telephone numbers, that information alone does not verify who is actually calling. Consequently, the alleged scheme exploited a feature that some users may mistakenly regard as reliable proof of identity.
Seventeen SIM Cards Among Items Recovered
The police recovered seven mobile phones and 17 SIM cards during a search of the suspects’ premises.
Detectives also seized 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, a POS terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to various people.
These items could help investigators establish how the alleged operation worked, identify additional victims and trace possible accomplices. However, the police said the investigation was still ongoing.
The Command has not reported the outcome of any prosecution, and the allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
CP Erale Urges Victims to Report Suspected Fraud
Following the arrests, Commissioner of Police Samuel E. Erale cautioned residents against accepting caller-identification displays as conclusive evidence of a caller’s identity.
He urged the public to be especially vigilant when anyone requests money in exchange for a government appointment, employment opportunity or political privilege.
Furthermore, the commissioner appealed to victims of the alleged suspects and similar fraud schemes to come forward with credible information that could assist the investigation.
He assured residents that the Command would continue to pursue fraud cases and work to bring anyone found culpable to justice.
The case serves as a reminder that claims of access to government officials should be independently verified. In particular, members of the public should confirm appointment offers through official channels and avoid making payments based solely on telephone calls, displayed caller names or promises of influence.
