Police bust fake job syndicate in Rivers, arrest suspect

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued 16 youths from job scammers and arrested a suspect.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu briefed journalists at the Command Headquarters on Moscow Road on Tuesday, explaining that operatives from the Octopus Strike Force acted on credible intelligence about a possible hostage situation in a compound in Igwuruta.

According to him: “On August 29, 2024, at about 3 pm, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, attached to the Octopus Strike Force, acted on credible information about a possible hostage situation in a compound at Igwuruta.

“The operatives acted swiftly and arrested a suspect, Chukwudi Okoli (male), who posed as an employee of a company, Qjoseansel International Global Limited.

“During the operation, Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims, comprising 13 males and two females, were rescued and taken to the station.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the unsuspecting victims had each paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company, which falsely promised them jobs in the oil and gas sector, with payment 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 them to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews.”

CP Disu stated that the victims were confined in a facility where they were monitored and subjected to training.

During this training, they were taught how to deceive others into believing in fraudulent job opportunities with a false promise of earning $450 per week.

He assured that the suspect and exhibits are in police custody, and investigations are ongoing.