Web fraudsters who allegedly forged the official website of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja have been arrested in Aba, Abia State.
The four suspects are Messrs Chinedum Nwaogu, 30, Okechi Nwaobia Micah, 33, Ifeanyi Daniel Nwaubani, 27, and Chigozie Richard Akoku, 30. Confirming this, the Abia State Director of State Security Services, SSS, Matthew Obodoechi, said the suspects were arrested at 22, Jerry Nweke Street, World Bank Housing Estate in Aba.
It was gathered that the fraudsters have defrauded some Polish, Indian, Koreans, Slovenian and Croatian citizens. Besides, investigations revealed that one Fred, a Nigerian living in Malaysia acts as front for the gang, as he received all monies and transferred same through the various bank accounts of the gang members in Nigeria.
But ran out of luck of them, when some of their victims wrote to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to confirm their letters and programmes for necessary action. It was revealed that ministry officials denied any knowledge of the fraudsters. Consequently, the SSS was alerted through a petition by the ministry at Abuja for necessary action, which resulted in the arrest of the gang members.
However, the suspects have been arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction in Umuahia, Abia State capital, even as they were remanded in prison custody.
In a related development, suspected fraudsters operating as officials of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, specialising in forging different types of documents have been arrested in Aba.
The suspects, Sunday Ehimere, Glory Okoro, Onyedi Isaac and Promise Enang, were arrested near the ‘Teachers House’ at No.35 Pound Road Aba, in addition, forged certificates and degrees from the University of Port Harcourt and College of Education Arochukwu, were found in their possession.
However, the SSS has filed charges against them, as they will soon be arraigned in court. Following this, Obodoechi has called on the state government and private employers to investigate all degrees and certificates presented by prospective job seekers.
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