2 months ago
16 ARTICLE AD
The Rivers State Police Command has announced the dismantling of a fake job syndicate and the rescue of 16 victims in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed this at a press briefing at the Command’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Disu explained that the syndicate was uncovered when police operatives responded to a distress call from concerned residents who suspected a hostage situation.
The suspects had posed as company staff and potential employers to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.
He stated that the fraudsters had already duped their victims of large sums of money, ranging from N650,000 to N850,000.
The CP said, “On August 29, 2024, at about 3 pm, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, attached to the Octopus Strike Force, acted on credible information about a possible hostage situation in a compound at Igwuruta.
“The operatives acted swiftly and arrested a suspect, Chukwudi Okoli (male), who posed as an employee of a company, Qjoseansel International Global Limited.
“During the operation, Amiye Joseph and fifteen (15) other victims, comprising thirteen males and two females, were rescued and taken to the station.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the unsuspecting victims had each paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company, which falsely promised them jobs in the Oil/Gas sector, with payment in US dollars.
“The fraudsters operated by randomly selecting phone numbers and contacting potential victims, introducing them to fake job opportunities. They would then invite them to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews.”
Disu further explained that after extorting large sums of money, the victims were held in a facility where they were monitored. They were also subjected to training, where they were taught how to deceive others into believing in fake job opportunities, with a promise of USD 450 per week.
He added, “New entrants were required to pay USD 25 to facilitate a registration process. The suspects designed an online platform that generated a username and password for registrants upon completion.
“Sophisticated gadgets and items recovered from the suspects’ operational base included phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans, and office furniture.”
Disu confirmed that the suspect and exhibits are in police custody while investigations are ongoing.
In a related development, the police announced the arrest of a suspect involved in the abduction of a child in Enugu State, who was trafficked to Port Harcourt. The victim was successfully rescued.
The State Police Commissioner said, “On 13th September 2024, at about 10 am, operatives of the Command, attached to Abuloma Police Station, Port Harcourt, received credible intelligence about the suspicious movement of a man with a young girl.
“Upon receiving this information, operatives were swiftly dispatched to the area and arrested a suspect, Prince Ogbonda, aged 24, a native of Elekahia Community in Port Harcourt but residing in the Akwuke area of Enugu.
“A teenage victim (name withheld), aged 16, and a resident of the Garki area, Enugu, was found being held against her will by the suspect.”
Disu confirmed that the victim had been presented for medical examination and treatment, and the suspect remains in police custody.
