The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) weekend apprehended a couple in Akwa Ibom for allegedly defrauding thousands of Nigerians of millions of naira through a fake UNICEF grant scheme.
The State Commandant of NSCDC in Akwa Ibom, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, stated this while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Uyo.
Eluwade said the arrest was made Monday, July 22, along IBB Avenue in Uyo, following complaints from members of the public about suspected fraudulent extortion of huge sums of money.
He further stated that the suspects, Blessing Ezekiel – 27, (f), and her husband Joseph Ufot, 46, (m), collected money from various persons with promise of offering them employment, particularly in the state civil service.
“Furthermore, the suspect, Ezekiel also used a fake NGO – Child Support Foundation, which she claimed was sponsored by UNICEF to register about 7, 000 children at N1, 000 each for a supposed UNICEF children grant, which turned out to be a scam.
“Ezekiel claimed to be a; personal assistant to one Dr Helen Akpan, who she claimed is an SSA to Akwa Ibom governor on Special Duties.
“She also allegedly offered employment letters to hundreds of unsuspecting victims after paying N4, 800, but without salaries for months, which led them to question her project as scam,” Eluwade said.
Eluwade, who condemned the act as criminal to defraud unsuspecting persons in this hard time, appealed to job seekers to be wary of employment scams.