Police smash gang that extorts money, promising jobs in oil industry

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested suspected members of a syndicate that allegedly run a fake business platform that swindles victims of money with a promise to get them jobs in an oil and gas company.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, explained that on August 29, 2024, around 3pm, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to the Octopus strike force got a tipoff of a possible hostage situation in a compound at Igwuruta.

‘’The operatives swung into action and arrested a suspect, Chukwudi Okoli ‘m’, who posed as a staff of a company, Qjoseansel International Global Limited. During the operation, Amiye Joseph and fifteen (15) other victims comprising thirteen (13) males and two (2) females were rescued and led to the station.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the unsuspecting victims had each paid monetary sums ranging from NGN 650,000 to NGN 850,000.00 each to the phoney company with vain assurance that they would be given jobs within the Oil/Gas sector and receive payment in US Dollars.

“The fraudsters operated in such a way that they would call their unsuspecting victims over the phone after a random selection of phone numbers. They would then introduce them to job opportunities and invite them to Port Harcourt where they would undergo fake interview processes.

“The victims are then extorted huge sums of money and held in a facility where they would be keenly monitored. After this is achieved, the victims will be subjected to training where they will be taught to convince potential victims about the job opportunities with a pay of USD 450 per week.”

Iringe-Koko said new entrants were tasked 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 of registration. Throughout the process, the victims are instructed to alienate themselves from other people. Sophisticated

gadgets and items were recovered from the operational office of the suspect including Phones, Laptops, Television sets, generators, Industrial Fans and office furniture. The suspect and exhibits are in Police custody while the investigation is ongoing. We have intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.” she said.