Extortion: Ex-officers parading as personnel, EFCC warns

 

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has drawn the attention of the public to some former personnel of the commission extorting unsuspecting people by impersonating EFCC officers.

The commission in a press statement by its acting Head, Media & Publicity Tony Orilade, Thursday in Abuja, said, “Attention of the EFCC has been drawn to the activities of some former staff of the EFCC still parading themselves as being in the employ of the commission, and using this means to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“Preliminary investigation shows that some of the fraudsters brandish seemingly authentic Identity Cards as staff of the Commission to prey on their prospective victims.

“They make monetary demands and in return give promises to help stall ongoing corruption investigation, or promise to help secure employment for some people or their loved ones in the Commission.”

According to him, “Investigation also revealed that some identity cards being paraded by the hoodlums are those of members of staff who have earlier reported them as lost or stolen at gunpoint and got Police Reports to be able to get replacements.”

Orilade said, “Besides, some extortionists also design and print fake identity cards with which they carry out their blackmail and extortion activities.”

He said while measures were being put in place to curtail the activities of these fraudsters, members of the public “Are hereby advised to also desist from patronising anyone who drops the name of an EFCC officer with a promise to help resolve an on-going fraud case, or for employment purposes.

“Members of the public are advised to report any such cases of extortion to the nearest police station or send mail [email protected]. The Commission can also be reached via the hotline: 2348093322644.”

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