Delta Police Arrest Three Suspected Fraudsters for Impersonating Government Officials, Defrauding Community Leader of ₦5.475m

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters for allegedly impersonating top government officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, including a community leader who reportedly lost ₦5.475 million in a fraudulent appointment scheme.

The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Effurun Area Command.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered in the names of prominent government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and officials of the Delta State Government, to deceive their victims.

The suspects allegedly exploited caller-identification applications to make their telephone calls appear to originate from the officials they impersonated, thereby gaining the confidence of unsuspecting individuals.

In one of the alleged fraudulent operations, the suspects reportedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor, Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, 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 mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification details belonging to various individuals.

The Police said investigations were ongoing to identify other possible victims, uncover additional accomplices and establish the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, warned members of the public against relying solely on caller-identification applications to verify the identities of people making telephone calls, particularly when such calls involve financial demands or promises of government appointments.

He urged anyone who might have fallen victim to the suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information to assist the investigation.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.