The Yobe State Police Command has apprehended a 29-year-old individual (name withheld) who allegedly impersonated a Navy officer to defraud numerous traders within the state.
In a statement released in Damaturu on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed that the suspect was taken into custody on December 18 while in possession of a counterfeit Nigerian Navy Identity Card (ID). He was found to be orchestrating fraudulent online money transfers to unsuspecting traders in exchange for goods.
Abdulkarim explained that the suspect’s method involved generating fictitious receipts through his banking application, creating the illusion of successful transactions, despite them being nonexistent.
“To establish credibility with his victims, he would first conduct a small, legitimate transaction. Subsequently, he would manipulate the app to alter the receipt, thereby delaying the notification to the recipient,” he stated.
“This deceptive strategy enabled him to mislead his victims and illicitly acquire their money or products,” Abdulkarim added.
The spokesperson further emphasized that the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, has urged the public to remain vigilant against evolving cybercrime tactics.
“Always verify transactions and receipts, and exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming affiliation with reputable organizations unless they provide proper identification,” he advised.
