…”these individuals disguise as EFCC officers by wearing fake uniforms and sometimes transport victims to locations made to resemble their offices,”.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised alarm over a surge in fake sting operations being carried out by impersonators across major cities in the country.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission revealed that criminal elements are adopting deceptive tactics to tarnish its image and exploit unsuspecting members of the public.
According to the EFCC, some fraudsters operate around eateries and social hotspots, where they ambush young people, falsely accuse them of internet fraud, and extort money or valuables from them.
“These individuals disguise as officers by wearing fake uniforms and sometimes transport victims to locations made to resemble EFCC offices,” the statement noted.
The Commission also disclosed the existence of another group targeting motorists, using number plate checks as a pretext to harass and intimidate victims, often with weapons, to extort money.
In addition, the EFCC warned about online impersonators and content creators staging fake raid videos, complete with forced entries and damaged property, to mislead the public and create false impressions about the agency’s operations.
The anti-graft body cautioned Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, emphasizing that such impersonation not only endangers citizens but also undermines the integrity of legitimate law enforcement operations.
