Anambra State Police Command has arrested a five-man 419 syndicate for allegedly defrauding people of millions of naira in Onitsha, Obosi and environs.
Two of the suspects, a couple, were paraded by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Muhammed at the Nigeria Police Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka local government area.
Mr Muhammed said that the group succeeded in duping one Chinonye Ogalaku of eight hundred thousand Naira, Chinaemelum Ezennaya five hundred and five thousand Naira and Oluchi Okpala among others, of their money, phones and other valuables.
He said that the group specializes in presenting themselves as clergies, businessmen and foreigners who asked for all kinds of assistance and claimed they can help their victims succeed in life and business.
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Mr Muhammed said that the suspects have confessed voluntarily to the crimes and that the fraudulent activities have been under investigation since 2019, stating that they duped their victims by using tricycles and diabolic methods.
While advising the people of the state to always report such crimes as the police would always ensure that justice is served, Mr Muhammed cautioned Ndi Anambra to be aware of individuals they mingle with and desist from giving vital information and their belongings to strangers.
Giving an account of their encounter with the ‘419’ syndicates, Chinonye Ogalaku, Chinaemelum Ezennaya and Oluchi Okpala identified Mr and Mrs Tochukwu and Nkiru Ikebuife as suspected persons who defrauded them of their money and belongings, ranging from two hundred thousand naira to three million as well as made them take an oath to die if they revealed anything to a third party.
Responding to the allegations, the suspects, Mr and Mr Ikebuife disclosed that they have duped some of the clients, while the wife, Nkiru Ikebuife denied posing as a clergywoman and to have never met with the defrauded persons.
