Suspected scam syndicate nabbed in Akwa Ibom
Three individuals suspected to be part of a syndicate responsible for defrauding numerous victims across Nigeria have been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command at their hideout in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government of the state.
The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who revealed this in a statement on Monday, said the suspects were arrested on September 5 following several complaints received by the Command.
She said, “Acting on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, operatives of the Command initiated a technical intelligence-led operation in July 2025. This effort culminated in the arrest of the three prime suspects on September 5, 2025, at approximately 1330 hours, from their hideout in the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.”
She named the suspects to include: Prince Francis Albert (m), 27 yrs, of Edemeya Village, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and gang leader; Augustine Ernest Bassey (m), 39 yrs, of Okobo LGA, a POS operator; and Mbetobong Godwin (m), 35 yrs, of Ibesikpo LGA. Godwin, who shares a compound with the gang leader.
Explaining the roles of each member of the syndicate, the Command PPRO said Albert, the alleged gang leader, confessed to luring victims from various states using multiple phone numbers, including 07018079625, 08057090611, 09125284189, 08169159852, and 08081732375.
“He admitted to beginning his criminal activities in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic. He also confessed to successfully scamming several high-profile individuals, including politicians, military officers, and senior police officers, by using fake identities. Albert told investigators he sourced his victims’ phone numbers from marriage invitations, obituary posters, complimentary cards, and online sources. He further admitted to relocating from Oyo State to Akwa Ibom in April 2025 to evade police and DSS pursuit.
“Augustine Ernest Bassey, a POS operator, is accused of receiving scammed funds through his OPay account number 8081732375. He has confessed to receiving large sums of money from victims between April and August 2025.
“Mbetobong Godwin, who shares a compound with the gang leader, also confessed to receiving funds through his OPay account number 8160526905. He admitted to collecting significant amounts of money for the syndicate during the same period.”
She said the suspects are fully cooperating with the police to recover their SIM cards and assist in the arrest of other syndicate members who are currently at large.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities,” John said.
Suspected scam syndicate nabbed in Akwa Ibom
