Posted by KENNETH OFOMA, Abakaliki on
EBONYI State government has alerted the public on the activities of fraudsters using the name and signature of the state governor Dr. Sam Egwu to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
EBONYI State government has alerted the public on the activities of fraudsters using the name and signature of the state governor Dr. Sam Egwu to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
Already, one suspect has been arrested and currently helping the police in their investigation. Sources close to the government said some people may have been duped of huge sums of money through the nefarious activities of the gang.
Raising the alarm during a press conference in Abakaliki, at the weekend, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ozo Nweke Ozo stated that the disturbing aspect of the development was that this group has matured into very strong syndicate that seems to be well organised.
"They appear to have perfected several styles to convince their unsuspecting victims and they continue to deceive the greedy Nigerians who easily fall prey to their overtures, in a mad rush to make money" he said.
The SSG maintained that the fraudsters extort large sums of money, hiding under the cloak that they are representing the state government, chairman, secretary and members of non-existent state tenders board.
Professor Ozo however announced that only last week the police from Ebonyi, with the aid of their Enugu State counterpart nabbed one suspect (name withheld) and that the law will now be applied.
He stressed that the arrest of the suspected frausdter prompted the state government to reach the general public and to create the necessary awareness, confirming however the complaints and other available information reaching his office showed that individuals, organizations and companies have been ripped off huge sums of money in the process.