The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a fraudulent job syndicate in Igwuruta, located within the Ikwere Local Government Area. During this operation, police arrested one suspect and rescued sixteen individuals who had fallen victim to the scheme.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt on September 17, 2024, State Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu explained that the syndicate was uncovered following a distress call from concerned residents who suspected that hostage-taking was occurring.
Disu revealed that the arrested suspect and his accomplices had posed as representatives of a fictitious company, scamming unsuspecting job seekers out of significant amounts of money, ranging from NGN 650,000 to NGN 850,000 for non-existent positions in the oil and gas industry.
On August 29, 2024, police operatives from the Octopus Strike Force received credible information regarding a potential hostage situation at a compound in Igwuruta. Acting swiftly, they apprehended the suspect, identified as Chukwudi Okoli, who claimed to work for a company named Qjoseansel International Global Limited.
During the operation, police rescued Amiye Joseph along with fifteen other victims, including thirteen males and two females. Initial investigations indicated that each victim had paid large sums of money to the fraudulent company, lured by promises of employment in the oil and gas sector and the potential for payment in US dollars.
The scam operated by randomly contacting potential victims and introducing them to fake job opportunities. Victims were invited to Port Harcourt for staged interviews, during which they were extorted for money and then confined in a facility under close surveillance. They were subjected to training aimed at convincing others to apply for these non-existent jobs, with promises of pay set at USD 450 per week.
New recruits were required to pay USD 25 to complete a registration process, and the fraudsters had created an online platform that generated usernames and passwords for registrants. Throughout this process, victims were instructed to isolate themselves from others.
Authorities recovered various sophisticated gadgets from the suspect’s operational office, including phones, laptops, televisions, generators, industrial fans, and office furniture.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, with efforts underway to locate other members of the syndicate.
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