The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cracked down on a syndicate of “fake state house staff” who allegedly swindled unsuspecting job seekers of millions of naira.
News About Nigeria reports that the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of five suspects in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.
According to Oyewale, the suspects—Augustine Umogboi, Eleojo Idakwo, Kingsley Onuh, Omata Sunday, and Eljayon Nigeria Limited—were arrested separately following investigations into petitions from victims who were promised lucrative jobs in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The suspects allegedly posed as high-ranking officials, promising victims jobs as “Director-General” in prominent organisations, including the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other ministries.
The EFCC spokesman revealed that the suspects had collected a total of N22,350,000 from their victims through various bank accounts.
The suspects’ modus operandi involved using different account numbers from various banks to receive money from their victims.
The victims, in their petitions to the EFCC, narrated their harrowing experiences, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
The statement added that Umogboi was arrested on June 16, Idakwo on April 30, 2024, and Onuh on April 3.
The EFCC has assured that the suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He said that the victims narrated their bitter experience in a series of petitions written to the EFCC, adding that, “the suspects have given useful information to the EFCC and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.”
The commission’s swift action has sent a strong message to fraudsters and scammers, demonstrating its commitment to protecting Nigerians from employment scams and financial crimes.
