The Rivers State Police Command has smashed a fake job syndicate and rescued 16 victims, including 13 females in Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to the Police, the victims lost various sums of money to the gang in Igwuruta area of Ikwerre LGA.
The police said the suspect and accomplice posed as a company worker and potential employer to scam unsuspecting job seekers. It maintained that the fraudsters had already disposed their victims of huge sums before their arrest. These range from N650,000 to N850,000.00 each for a non-existent job in an oil and gas firm.
Disu who was briefing journalists on the development said the syndicate was busted following information. He said the operatives responded to a distress call by concerned residents who suspected hostage-taking.
“On August 29, 2024, at about 3 p.m., operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to the Octopus Strike Force got an information. And the Force acted on the credible piece of information about a possible hostage situation in a compound at Igwuruta.
“The operatives swung into action and arrested a suspect, Chukwudi Okoli (m). Who posed as a staff member of a company, Qjoseansel International Global Limited.
“During the operation, Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims, comprised 13 males and two were rescued. They were led to the station.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the unsuspecting victims had each paid monetary sums ranging from N650,000 to N850,000 each to the phony company. With vain assurance that they would be given jobs within the oil/gas sector and receive payment in US Dollars.
“The fraudsters operated in such a way that they would call their unsuspecting victims over the phone after a random selection of phone numbers. They would then introduce them to job opportunities and invite them to Port Harcourt where they would undergo fake interview processes.”
“The victims were then extorted of huge sums of money and held captive in a facility where they would be keenly monitored. After this was achieved, the victims would be subjected to training. Where they would be taught to convince potential victims about the job opportunities with a pay of $450 per week.
“New entrants were tasked to pay $25 to facilitate a registration process. The suspects designed an online platform that generated a username and password for registrants upon completion of registration.
“Throughout the process, the victims are instructed to alienate themselves from other people. Sophisticated gadgets and items were recovered from the operational office of the suspect. These included phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans and office furniture,” Disu said.
The Commissioner added that the suspect and the exhibits were in police custody while the investigation was going on.
source: PUNCH
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