Detectives from the Zone 7 Police Command Headquarters, Abuja, have apprehended a 26-year-old man, Emeka Marcel Nweke, for allegedly using a fake Facebook account impersonating Architect Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Benneth Igweh confirmed the arrest during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. He revealed that Nweke, a secondary school dropout, is a key member of a 21-person criminal syndicate specializing in fraud, cyberstalking, and impersonation.
Nweke was apprehended by police detectives in Awada, Anambra State, following a detailed investigation initiated by a formal complaint from the TETFUND Executive Secretary. The complaint alleged criminal conspiracy, impersonation, fraud, false representation, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretenses, and threats to life.
According to AIG Igweh, police investigations uncovered that the suspect operated multiple bank accounts, including those with Zenith Bank, Access Bank, GTBank, Fairmoney Microfinance, Opay, FCMB, and Fidelity Bank. The transactions in just one of his accounts with GTBank exceeded N10 million in August 2024 alone.
“Detectives tracked the suspects through their Facebook activities and interactions with victims,” AIG Igweh explained. “They used a fake profile to pose as TETFUND staff and lure unsuspecting individuals and organizations with fraudulent schemes.”
The criminal gang orchestrated elaborate scams by presenting themselves as TETFUND officials. They advertised fake supply contracts for schools and other institutions, asking victims to supply goods that the gang subsequently diverted using fabricated addresses and fake locations.
Additionally, the suspects solicited donations from companies and organizations under the guise of supporting educational development programs. These donations, allegedly to procure materials for schools, were pocketed by the gang, tarnishing the reputation of the Executive Secretary and TETFUND.
The AIG highlighted the damaging impact of the syndicate’s activities, which included cyberstalking and character assassination. “The use of the TETFUND Executive Secretary’s name caused reputational harm and undermined public trust,” he noted.
AIG Igweh urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with individuals or organizations on social media. “Online fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Verify all claims, especially those involving financial transactions or government programs, before taking action,” he advised.
Nweke remains in custody and will face charges in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend his accomplices, including Innocent Eze, Mrs. Nenrot L., Dogara Bulus, Victor Okpanach, John Kent, and 14 others named in the petition.
The arrest underscores the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for heightened vigilance in Nigeria’s online space. It also highlights the importance of robust digital security measures to protect institutions and the public from fraud.
For now, the police have assured the public of their commitment to rooting out cybercriminals and safeguarding the integrity of individuals and organizations targeted by such scams.
