The Delta State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of impersonating senior government officials to defraud members of the public under the guise of securing government appointments, employment and other official privileges.

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

The police said the suspects allegedly defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area of ₦5.475 million by promising to facilitate his appointment as president-general of his community.

Suspects Allegedly Impersonated Government Officials

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests, saying preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a fraud scheme targeting people seeking employment, political appointments and other government-related benefits.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered in the names 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 Prince Johnson Erijo, identified as the governor’s Chief of Staff.

The suspects allegedly used these identities to convince victims that they had access to influential government officials and could secure appointments in exchange for money.

Caller-ID Application Allegedly Used to Deceive Victims

Edafe said the suspects also allegedly exploited a caller-identification application that displays names associated with incoming phone numbers.

The application was reportedly used to make calls appear as though they originated from the government officials being impersonated, lending credibility to the suspects’ claims.

In the case involving the Otu-Jeremi community leader, the suspects allegedly collected ₦5.475 million under the pretence of arranging his appointment as president-general.

The police have not disclosed whether the money has been recovered.

Phones, SIM Cards and ATM Cards Recovered

A search of the suspects’ premises reportedly led to the recovery of several items believed to be relevant to the investigation.

The recovered items included:

• Seven mobile phones.
• Seventeen SIM cards.
• Twelve ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names.
• One point-of-sale (POS) terminal.
• Documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals.

The police said investigations were ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices who may have been involved in the alleged scheme.

Police Warn Against Appointment Scams

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying on caller-identification applications as proof of a caller’s identity.

He urged residents to exercise caution when contacted by individuals promising government appointments, employment or other official benefits in exchange for money.

The command also appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspects or similar schemes to come forward with credible information to assist investigators.

The police said efforts would continue to identify other people connected to the alleged fraud and ensure that those found culpable face the law.

The allegations against the three suspects have not been established in court.