Police Bust JAMB Fraud Syndicate, Arrest Impersonator Using Dead Nephew’s Account
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a syndicate allegedly defrauding members of the public by impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with investigators arresting one suspect and launching a manhunt for the alleged principal culprit.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on September 9, 2026, explaining that the investigation followed a petition submitted by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, on August 10, 2026.
According to the statement, the petition alleged criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud, prompting the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, to approve an immediate investigation by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit attached to the JAMB National Headquarters.
The investigation initially extended to Nasarawa and Katsina States, where persons tracked by the police were subsequently found to be victims who had allegedly been defrauded by members of the syndicate impersonating the JAMB Registrar.
Police investigations reportedly established that the syndicate created fake social media accounts using the Registrar’s identity to deceive unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of offering official services.
Through intelligence gathering and analysis of telephone numbers and bank account details allegedly used in the fraudulent activities, investigators traced the operation to Anambra State, where they arrested Nwogba Arinze, who allegedly posed as the Personal Assistant to the JAMB Registrar.
Arinze was arrested on August 27, 2026, and further investigation reportedly revealed that he had been using the bank account and debit cards belonging to his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, in an attempt to conceal his identity and evade detection.
The police said Arinze had been entrusted with the late nephew’s account details and debit cards to facilitate funeral arrangements conducted on July 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, operatives are pursuing Nnabuife Nwekpa, identified by the police as the alleged principal suspect and a close relative of Arinze.
The police said Arinze remains in custody and is cooperating with investigators in efforts to apprehend Nwekpa and identify any other persons allegedly connected to the fraud network.
The Force urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with persons claiming to represent government institutions or offering official services through social media platforms.
It also advised citizens to promptly report suspicious online activities to the Nigeria Police Force National CyberCrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, according to the statement, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to combating crime, protecting citizens from emerging forms of cyber-enabled fraud and upholding public integrity across the country.
