Men of the Imo State Police Command have arrested a suspected Internet fraudster who allegedly impersonated Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and duped members of the public of millions of naira.
The suspect, identified as Nwafor Kenneth Obinna, 23, from Umuebo Ezumoha in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, was among 45 suspects of armed robbery and kidnapping paraded by the Commissioner of Police, CP Dasuki Galadanchi, at the state police command, Owerri yesterday.
Galadanchi said the suspect was nabbed following complaints from the governor that somebody was impersonating the government and asking people to apply for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) loans.
He said, “Following a petition from the office of the Kogi State Government of an Internet fraudster impersonating Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on fake SMEs loan on 09/03/2018, operatives of the FSARS quickly swung into action.
“Through investigation, the suspect named above was arrested on 14/3/2018. He has confessed to the crime stating that he designed a website of Kogi State governor and used it to dupe unsuspecting members of Kogi State. Investigation is ongoing.”
He said the items recovered from the suspects were two phones (a Nokia and Infinix) and a laptop used in committing the offence.
Galadanchi said within weeks of his assumption of office, 24 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, eight for cultism, one for child trafficking and 11 for unlawful possession of arms. Of the 45 arrested, the CP said 13 suspects have been charged to court.
