By Akanimo Kufre (The New Diplomat’s A/Ibom|C/River Correspondent)
Operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo zonal office on September 3, 2020, arrested three suspected land scammers and cyber criminal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects, Ubah Victor Gozie a 25-year-old male indigene of Abia State, Sunday Justice, 24, and Uduak Okon Mark, 27, both from Akwa-Ibom state.
According to a statement from the Zonal Public Education Office, the suspects were arrested at their office, located on Oron road, directly opposite the Akwa-Ibom state Water Board.
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Their arrest was based on intelligence report, gathered by the Akwa Ibom state EFCC on how the suspects have been going about within the state, defrauding innocent citizens, under the guise of providing them with real estate services, using the name, Royal Dream Estate.
Their modus operandi includes, advertising several lands for sale on their facebook page, Royal Dream Estate, and luring people to buy the lands often located at choice areas, at very cheap rates of not less than N600,000 (Six hundred thousand naira). They would then proceed to sell same land at same rates to other buyers.
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Just before their apprehension, the Royal Dreams Estate agents were on live radio to attract prospective customers and victims.
As observed by some ardent radio listeners, it is quite sad these scammers use the goodwill of radio airways to defraud unsuspecting public.
Further investigations into the activities of the trio revealed that they have defrauded several persons within the state, up to the tune of N9m (Nine million Naira).
During a search, several incriminating documents were found in their possession, including copies of fake Deed of Conveyance. Other items recovered from them include, 2 desktops, one Lexus ES 300 (Silver colour) with registration number, KLF 810 and several other fraudulent documents printed from their desktops.
The suspects are currently providing useful information to investigators and will soon be charged to
court.
Similarly, on the same day, the zone arrested a 33-year-old suspected internet fraudster, named Omos Michael, a Delta State indigene from the Urhobo speaking part of Warri.
Micheal was arrested at his residence located at Ikot Akpan-Abia, behind State Police Headquarters, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
During questioning, Micheal confessed that he is an Internet fraudster, and that his area of specialisation was love scam, as he voluntarily confessed that he has made over N3m (Three million naira) through the illicit business.
