In a dramatic turn of events, a 26-year-old man, Emeka Marcel Nweke, has been arrested for allegedly running an elaborate scam using the name of the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Architect Sony Echono.
The suspect was arrested in Awada, Anambra State, by detectives from the Zone 7 Police Command Headquarters in Abuja.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Benneth Igweh confirmed the arrest to journalists on Tuesday, describing the operation as a breakthrough in the fight against online fraud.
Nweke, a secondary school dropout, allegedly created a fake Facebook profile using Architect Echono’s name to defraud unsuspecting victims across the country.
N10 Million in a Single Month
According to AIG Igweh, the suspect operated eight different bank accounts across multiple financial institutions.
“In his GTBank account alone, his transactions for the month of August 2024 were over N10 million,” Igweh revealed.
The accounts were linked to Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Opay, Fairmoney Microfinance, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, and GTBank, raising questions about the ease with which scammers exploit financial systems.
The police uncovered the scam after receiving a petition from Architect Sony Echono against Nweke and six accomplices, along with 14 other unidentified suspects.
The petition detailed allegations of criminal conspiracy, impersonation, fraud, false representation, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretenses, and even threats to life.
Fake Advertisements and False Promises
The gang reportedly posed as TETFUND staff, luring unsuspecting individuals and organizations with fake advertisements.
They claimed to supply educational materials and solicited donations to support supposed government efforts to improve schools.
Victims were instructed to transfer money to the suspect’s accounts, believing they were supporting genuine developmental projects.
AIG Igweh explained how the scammers diverted goods meant for fake addresses and criminally profited from the scheme.
“They used false representations and fake locations to mislead their victims. This caused not only financial losses but also damage to the reputation of TETFUND and its leadership,” Igweh said.
Sophisticated Tracking Leads to Arrest
The Zone 7 detectives worked tirelessly to track the suspect and his accomplices.
They traced the Facebook page used for the fraudulent activities and followed chat trails with victims.
Bank account numbers and phone numbers linked to the scam were also identified, leading investigators directly to the suspect in Anambra State.
Nweke’s arrest is just the tip of the iceberg, as several accomplices remain at large.
“The suspect is a member of a 21-man gang. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects,” Igweh stated.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigerians
This incident highlights the growing menace of social media fraud in Nigeria.
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting unsuspecting individuals and organizations through false representations.
AIG Igweh issued a stern warning to Nigerians, urging them to exercise caution when dealing with online advertisements and social media solicitations.
“Members of the public must remain vigilant and wary of fraudsters who use fake profiles and false promises to defraud hardworking citizens,” he said.
He added that the police are committed to cracking down on cybercrime and ensuring that offenders face justice.
Victims Speak Out
Some of the victims have shared their experiences, expressing relief at the suspect’s arrest.
One victim, who chose to remain anonymous, said he was deceived into transferring N200,000 for what he believed was a government project.
“I thought I was helping to provide supplies to schools. I never imagined it was a scam,” he said.
Another victim, a businesswoman in Lagos, said the fraud had left her financially strained.
“They promised to award me a supply contract if I paid N500,000. I am still recovering from the loss,” she lamented.
What’s Next for the Suspect?
The police confirmed that Nweke would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.
AIG Igweh assured Nigerians that the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
“The suspect will face the full wrath of the law, and we will track down the remaining members of the gang,” he said.
