EFCC alerts Nigerians to rise in impersonation scams, fake raids

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a public alert regarding a disturbing rise in impersonation scams and fraudulent operations designed to tarnish its image. Intelligence suggests that criminal elements are adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, including staging fake sting operations and impersonating EFCC officers to defraud unsuspecting citizens.

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Their modus operandi is 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.

A primary modus operandi involves gangs ambushing youths near popular eateries and entertainment venues. These criminals, often dressed in fake uniforms, falsely accuse their targets of being internet fraudsters and proceed to dispossess them of their valuables. Another tactic involves itinerant criminals harassing motorists, using threats of violence to extort money under trumped-up accusations related to number plates.

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These characters 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.

The EFCC is also concerned about online impersonators who produce videos of staged raids, complete with forced entries and broken doors, to mislead the public. The commission urges Nigerians to exercise circumspection, not to allow these fraudulent activities to distort their perception of the EFCC's work, and to utilize the established channels for addressing complaints against its officers. This alert comes at a time when the agency itself faces public scrutiny regarding its operational conduct.

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There is also a gang of itinerant criminals harassing innocent motorists on the identities of their number plates. These ones wield dangerous weapons to compel their victims to offer them money on trumped-up accusations.