Fraudsters - ‘I Defraud Victim N100,000 In Every Operation’(pictured)

A 33-year-old drop-out from Ambrose Alli University, Edo State, Jerry Etiobho, said he used to dupe his victims of N100,000 on every operation. The suspect was arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for defrauding a man of his money and other valuables at Ojota area of Lagos State. Etiobho, who told police he took to the business after he was defrauded, said he made between N50,000 and N100,000 on every fraud.

The suspect was arrested along with Emeka Ogu (29). It was gathered that the duo used to con their victims of money and other valuables. On the fateful day the suspects were arrested, they had defrauded a victim at Ojota. They were about to escape when RRS men arrested them. The Commander of RRS, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Tunde Disu, said the suspects were arrested on Saturday, after they accosted a victim, Muhammed Lawan, at Ojota.

He said: “They pretended to be seeking the victim’s assistance. They claimed to have goods seized by the Nigeria Customs and had a lot of dollars to change. The suspects’ area of operation is Ikeja Under-Bridge, Allen Avenue, Opebi, Ojota and Maryland.” Recalling the incident, Lawan said the suspects collected his phones and N10,000.

He said: “They directed me to go and help them to change dollar in Ikeja. I was on my way when I realised they were fraudsters. Immediately I turned to collect all they had taken from me, they took to their heels.They were later arrested by RRS.” Etiobho told police that he convinced Lawan that his consignment, containing laptop, desktop computers and office equipment were impounded by the Nigeria Customs.

The suspect confessed to have further lied to Lawan that he had some foreign currencies. He added: “I told him to go and change one dollar while I collected his phones and N10,000. He agreed, but later changed his mind. He came back. We decided to escape. But policemen chased and arrested us.”

Ogu, said: “I have spent 10 months in this business. I want God to forgive me and save my life because most of my colleagues in the business died mysteriously.” Disu warned Lagos residents to be wary of strangers who use tempting offers to defraud them as the yuletide is approaching.