Akwa Ibom police arrest three suspected fraudsters after months of covert technology-driven investigation.
The suspects allegedly impersonated public figures and used multiple accounts to scam residents statewide.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested three people suspected of running a fraud ring targeting residents across the state.
Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday that the arrests followed a series of complaints from victims.
According to the statement, the Command began a covert, technology-driven investigation in July 2025. This effort, approved by Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, led to the capture of the suspects on September 5, 2025, at about 1:30 p.m. in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Those arrested were identified as 27-year-old Prince Francis Albert of Edemeya village, Ikot Abasi; 39-year-old Augustine Bassey of Okobo Local Government Area; and 35-year-old Mbetobong Godwin from Ibesikpo.
John said Albert, described as the ringleader, admitted to contacting potential victims from several states using different phone numbers. He allegedly began his activities in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic and reportedly impersonated prominent figures including politicians and senior security officials to extract money. He is also accused of sourcing phone numbers from invitations, obituary flyers, business cards, and online platforms.
The police added that Bassey, a Point-of-Sale operator, acknowledged channeling the proceeds of the scam through his OPay account between April and August 2025, while Godwin allegedly received illicit funds through another account and shared an apartment with Albert.
The three suspects are said to be cooperating with investigators to recover SIM cards and assist in tracking down other members of the group still on the run.
The Command urged residents to be vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
