The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a fraud syndicate accused of impersonating senior government officials to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians through promises of employment, political appointments and other government-related privileges.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested by detectives attached to the Area Command in Effurun following an investigation into their alleged activities.
The arrests followed allegations that the suspects exploited the identities of prominent public officials to convince victims that they had access to government authorities and could facilitate appointments in exchange for money.
In one of the cases under investigation, a community leader from Otu-Jeremi in Delta State allegedly lost ₦5,475,000 after being promised assistance in securing his appointment as President-General of his community.
According to a press release issued by the Command on October 20, 2026, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of prominent public officials, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, identified in the police statement as the governor’s Chief of Staff.
The suspects allegedly exploited caller-identification applications on mobile phones to make their telephone numbers display the names of the officials they purported to represent. This reportedly helped create the impression that victims were communicating with genuine government functionaries.
The scheme allegedly targeted individuals seeking employment, political appointments and other government-related benefits, using the perceived influence of senior officials to gain their confidence.
According to reports by The Guardian, PUNCH and Pulse Nigeria, the community leader from Otu-Jeremi was allegedly deceived through a promise that the suspects could facilitate his appointment as President-General. The police have not publicly disclosed the victim’s identity or provided a detailed account of the financial transactions involved. <Cite refs={[“turn341695search2″,”turn341695search0″,”turn341695search8”]}/>
During a search of the suspects’ premises, detectives reportedly recovered seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 automated teller machine cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale terminal and documents containing financial and personal identification information belonging to different individuals.
The recovered items are expected to assist investigators in examining the alleged activities, tracing relevant financial transactions, identifying the owners of the SIM cards and bank cards, and determining whether other individuals were involved.
A report by Pulse Nigeria also stated that one of the suspects allegedly explained how a caller-identification application was manipulated to make a telephone number appear under the name of a government official. That account forms part of the media’s reporting on the police investigation and should be distinguished from any findings that may subsequently be established in court. <Cite refs={[“turn341695search8”]}/>
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, warned members of the public against treating names displayed by caller-identification applications as conclusive proof of a caller’s identity.
He particularly cautioned residents against sending money to individuals who claim to be government officials or promise to secure public appointments, employment opportunities or other official privileges.
The police commissioner urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the arrested suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
The Command said investigations were continuing to identify additional victims and possible accomplices, while reaffirming its commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The case highlights the risks associated with schemes that exploit the names and perceived authority of public officials. Caller-identification applications can display names associated with telephone numbers, but such displays should not be treated as independent verification of a caller’s identity.
Members of the public are therefore advised to verify claims directly through official government channels before making payments connected to appointments, recruitment, contracts or other public opportunities. Requests for money in exchange for government appointments should be treated with particular caution.
The police have not announced a final conclusion on the case, and the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities remains under investigation. The arrest of the three suspects does not establish their guilt; any criminal responsibility must be determined through due process.
