…the suspected fraudsters confessed to successfully scamming numerous individuals, including prominent Nigerians.
UYO, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters believed to be part of a sophisticated scam syndicate that has defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians, including high-profile figures such as politicians, military officers, and senior police officials.
The arrest followed a coordinated technical intelligence-led operation launched in July 2025, based on multiple complaints from victims across the country, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.
The breakthrough came on September 5, 2025, at about 1:30 PM, when operatives stormed the syndicate’s hideout in the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area and arrested the three suspects:
• Prince Francis Albert, 27, of Edemeya village, Ikot Abasi LGA
• Augustine Bassey, 39, from Okobo LGA
• Mbetobong Godwin, 35, of Ibesikpo LGA
Albert, identified as the gang leader, reportedly confessed to initiating the fraudulent scheme in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic. He told investigators that he targeted victims across multiple states using various phone numbers and false identities.
“He relocated from Oyo State to Akwa Ibom in April 2025 to avoid arrest by the police and DSS,” DSP John said. “He sourced victims’ contact details from marriage invitations, obituary posters, complimentary cards, and online platforms.”
In his confession, Albert admitted to successfully scamming numerous individuals, including prominent Nigerians, by impersonating trusted contacts. The operation reportedly yielded large sums of money, which were funneled through digital banking platforms.
The second suspect, Augustine Bassey, operated a Point-of-Sale (POS) business and confessed to using his OPay account (number 8081732375) to receive proceeds from the scams between April and August 2025.
The third suspect, Mbetobong Godwin, who shared a residence with Albert, also confessed to receiving stolen funds via his OPay account (8160526905). According to police, both suspects played active roles in laundering the fraudulent proceeds.
“The suspects are cooperating with the police and assisting in efforts to recover SIM cards used in the scams and to locate other syndicate members currently on the run,” DSP John added.
The Police Command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant, verify unknown contacts, and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to be arraigned upon conclusion of the preliminary probe.
