Rivers Police Dismantle Fake Job Syndicate, Rescue 16 Victims

The fake job suspect, Chukwudi Okoli, who posed as an employee of a company called Qjoseansel International Global Limited, was arrested along with 15 other victims.

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the dismantling of a notorious fake job syndicate and the rescue of 16 victims in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area. The syndicate, which had been operating for an unknown period, duped its victims of large sums of money ranging from N650,000 to N850,000.

The syndicate, which posed as a company staff and potential employers, had been contacting unsuspecting job seekers through random phone numbers and inviting them to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews. The victims were then subjected to training, where they were taught how to deceive others into believing in fake job opportunities with a promise of USD 450 per week.

According to the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, the syndicate was uncovered when police operatives responded to a distress call from concerned residents who suspected a hostage situation. The suspect, Chukwudi Okoli, who posed as an employee of a company called Qjoseansel International Global Limited, was arrested along with 15 other victims.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had each paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company, which falsely promised them jobs in the Oil/Gas sector. The syndicate operated an online platform that generated usernames and passwords for registrants upon completion of a registration process.

The police recovered sophisticated gadgets and items from the suspects’ operational base, including phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans, and office furniture. The suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody while investigations are ongoing.

In a related development, the police announced the arrest of a suspect involved in the abduction of a child in Enugu State. The victim was successfully rescued after being trafficked to Port Harcourt.

The suspect, Prince Ogbonda, aged 24, was arrested by operatives of the Command attached to Abuloma Police Station. The teenage victim was found being held against her will by the suspect and has been presented for medical examination and treatment. The suspect remains in police custody.

The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to continue its efforts to combat fraud and protect citizens from such criminal activities.