The FCT Police said it had arrested a suspected fraudster, Elvis Michael, a coordinator of a fraudulent Cooperative Credit and Thrift outfit called, Best plan Cooperative credit and thrift.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday.
Manzah said that the suspect was arrested Oct. 18, acting on a tip off , noting that
the suspect had been using the outfit to defraud unsuspecting members of the public who were predominantly petty
“The suspect who was arrested at Jikwoyi in possession of N828,000 proceeds of the day’s collection, has confessed to the crime,”he said.
He said that efforts were been intensified to arrest his cohorts who were currently at large.
The spokesman said that the suspect deployed its agents at market places and other strategic spots to scout for potential customers who were encouraged to take up the juicy loan offer of the cooperative.
“The customers are then cajoled to register with the Cooperative with the sum of Two Thousand Naira (N2,000).
He said that 600 victims have been defrauded by the suspect who have deposited N6.4 million in the outfit without securing the loan promised them.
“Over 80 victims have come out to volunteer their statement to the Police on the nefarious activities of the so called cooperative and how they were lured into parting with their hard earned savings,”he said,
He said that items recovered from the suspect are: N828,000 cash and forged certificate of incorporation.
He said that the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa had assured that the command would ensure proper prosecution of those involved in the fraudulent act.
Mustard also enjoined FCT residents to always verify and carry-out thorough background check on Cooperatives or organisations approaching them with loan offers to forestall being defrauded.
He advised job seekers to seek proper clarification from relevant authorities before accepting job offers to forestall the risk of being used for fraudulent activity.
He said the suspect would be charged to court. (NAN)