Police Bust Fake Job Syndicate In Rivers, Arrest One, Rescue 16
A fraudulent job network that allegedly specialises in posting fake job openings to defraud gullible job seekers has been discovered and broken into by the Rivers State Police Command.
The state’s commissioner of police, Olatunji Disu, revealed this during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
Disu reported that during a raid on the gang’s hideout, 16 victims detained by the gang were successfully freed by the command’s personnel.
He stated that the Octopus Strike Force officers discovered the conspiracy after responding to a distress call from worried neighbours who thought there might be a hostage crisis.
“Police operatives acted swiftly and raided a compound in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, arresting one Chukwudi Okoli, who had been posing as an employee of Ojoseansel International Global Limited.
“During the operation, one Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims, comprising 13 males and two females, were rescued and taken to the station.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the victims had paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company,” Disu said.
The report further revealed that the business had “fraudulently assured the victims of positions in the oil and gas sector, with salaries allegedly paid in US dollars.
“The fraudsters operated by randomly selecting phone numbers and contacting potential victims, introducing them to fake job opportunities.
“They would then invite the victims to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews.
“Investigators further discovered that after extorting large sums of money, the victims were detained in a facility, where they were closely monitored,” Disu said.
Disu further revealed that the fraudulent organisation supposedly held training sessions for its victims in its hideouts.
In his report, the victims were taught how to deceive their friends into believing in fraudulent job offers, with the promise of earning 450 US dollars per week.
He added that mobile phones, computers, TVs, industrial fans, generators, and office furniture were found at the gang’s hideout.
Police Bust Fake Job Syndicate In Rivers, Arrest One, Rescue 16 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
