The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised alarm over a rising wave of criminal groups impersonating its operatives across parts of the country, warning Nigerians to remain vigilant as the trend becomes increasingly brazen.
In a statement, the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said intelligence reports indicate “increasing waves of alleged criminal characters parading themselves as officers of the Commission in different guises.”
He explained that “fraudulent means are being employed by criminals to tarnish the reputation of the EFCC,” noting a disturbing pattern of attacks on unsuspecting citizens, especially young people in social areas.
According to him, “there is a gang of fraudsters now operating around popular eateries or fun spots in major cities with the modus operandi of laying ambush for innocent youths coming out of the eateries and harassing them on unfounded suspicions of being internet fraudsters and dispossessing them of their valuables.”
The statement added that the impostors are becoming more sophisticated in their deception. “These alleged impostors usually portray the identities of authentic EFCC officers by dressing in fake uniforms and moving their victims to locations bearing fictitious resemblance to an EFCC office,” Oyewale said.
The Commission also warned that motorists are being targeted by another set of criminals who exploit fear and intimidation. “There is also a gang of criminals harassing innocent motorists on the identities of their number plate and they wield dangerous weapons to compel their victims to offer them money on trumped-up accusations,” the statement noted.
Beyond street-level impersonation, the EFCC highlighted a growing online dimension of the fraud. It warned of “online impersonators and fraudulent content creators dramatizing fake sting operations of the EFCC with evidence of broken doors, windows and forced entrance into their premises.”
The anti-graft agency urged Nigerians to be cautious and verify any suspicious encounters. “The Commission enjoins members of the public to be circumspect in their evaluation of claims by these alleged impostors as the commission has its standard operating procedures about all its activities,” Oyewale stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to fighting financial crimes, the EFCC stressed that public trust must not be eroded by criminal impersonators, adding that “well-meaning Nigerians should not allow their judgment of the works of the Commission to be negatively affected by the activities of these impersonators.”
