Police bust fake job syndicate, rescue 16 hostages in Rivers

Police officers in Rivers have dismantled a job racket syndicate in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

He said the gang specialized in advertising non-existent job vacancies to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.

Disu added that officers rescued 16 victims held captive by the gang while raiding their hideout.

He said the syndicate was uncovered when officers from the Octopus Strike Force responded to an emergency call from concerned residents who suspected hostage-taking.

CP said: “Police officers acted swiftly and stormed a compound in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, and arrested Chukwudi Okoli who was posing as an employee of Ojoseansel International Global Limited.

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

“Preliminary investigations revealed that each victim had paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company.”

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He also alleged that the company had falsely promised victims jobs in the oil and gas industry, with salaries allegedly paid in US dollars.

“The fraudsters operate by randomly selecting phone numbers and contacting potential victims, then introducing them to fake job opportunities.

“They then invited the victims to Port Harcourt to conduct fake interviews.

“Investigators further discovered that after extorting large sums of money, the victims were detained in a facility, where they were closely monitored,” Disu added.

He noted that items seized from the gang’s operational headquarters included mobile phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans and office furniture.

Police bust fake job syndicate, rescue 16 hostages in Rivers first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.