An Enugu State-based nurse, known only as Juliet, fell victim to a cunning fraud scheme in Lagos, losing a substantial sum of N650,000 to a suspected syndicate promising lucrative positions at the Shell Petroleum Development Company.
According to reports from PUNCH Metro, Juliet was initially contacted by the syndicate, posing as recruitment officers, and was asked to pay a staggering N750,000. This operation was conducted in the Igando area of Lagos State.
In response to intelligence reports, the Igando Division of the state Police Command initiated a raid on the syndicate’s hideout, apprehending 19 suspects operating from the area.
Juliet, speaking at the police station, shared her ordeal, saying, “I am a nurse, and I came all the way from Enugu. My friend introduced me to the company. I have paid N650,000 out of the N750,000 they asked for.”
Upon her arrival in Enugu, Juliet and eight other aspiring job seekers were accommodated in a shared room. They were told they would undergo training before securing the promised positions.
Another eyewitness, Taofeek Ibrahim, revealed that the fraudulent group was luring victims from different states and even neighboring countries, such as Ghana. He explained that the promise included high-paying jobs at prominent companies like Shell in Lagos, with salaries of up to N300,000 per month. One victim from Ghana had already paid N300,000.
Ibrahim pointed out that the nurse and others began to grow suspicious when the individuals who had promised them jobs appeared disheveled and unprofessional.
The police raided the syndicate’s hideout at John Kay Crescent, Lanre Bus-stop, Igando, to put an end to their fraudulent activities.
As of the time of reporting, Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, was unavailable for comments as calls and messages to him remained unanswered. However, the Divisional Police Officer at Igando, Ekehinde Ehiomoba, confirmed the arrest of “19 suspects.”
Source: PUNCHNG.COM
