Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters accused of impersonating high-ranking government officials to defraud a community leader of ₦5.475 million.
The suspects — Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51, Moses Exist, 48, and Benjamin Owah, 49 — were apprehended following an investigation by detectives attached to the Area Command in Effurun, the command announced on Tuesday.
Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate 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 Delta State Governor; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, said to be Chief of Staff to the Governor.
According to the police, the suspects exploited a caller-identification application that displays names associated with incoming numbers, creating the false impression that their calls originated from the officials they were impersonating.
In one alleged operation, the suspects impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Governor 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 yielded seven mobile phones, seventeen SIM cards, twelve ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to various individuals.
Commissioner of Police Samuel E. Erale 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 schemes to come forward with credible information to assist the investigation, and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that those found culpable face justice.
Investigation is ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices, the command said.
