Police Crack Down ‘Scamming Syndicate’ in Akwa Ibom, Arrest Three Suspects

Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a “scamming syndicate” accused of defrauding victims across Nigeria, following an intelligence-led operation in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested three suspected fraudsters alleged to be part of a “syndicate responsible for defrauding numerous victims across Nigeria.”

The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday. She said the operation followed several complaints received by the police and was carried out under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.

According to the statement, the operatives launched a technical intelligence-led operation in July 2025, which culminated in the arrest of the suspects on September 5, 2025, at about 1:30 p.m. from their hideout in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as Prince Francis Albert (27), of Edemeya village, Ikot Abasi LGA; Augustine Bassey (39), of Okobo LGA; and Mbetobong Godwin (35), of Ibesikpo LGA.

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Albert, described as the alleged gang leader, confessed to luring victims from different states using multiple phone numbers. “He admitted to beginning his criminal activities in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic. He also confessed to successfully scamming several high-profile individuals, including politicians, military officers, and senior police officers, by using fake identities,” the statement revealed.

The police further disclosed that Albert sourced victims’ contacts from marriage invitations, obituary posters, complimentary cards, and online platforms. He allegedly relocated from Oyo State to Akwa Ibom in April 2025 to evade security agencies.

Investigations also linked Bassey, a PoS operator, to the syndicate for receiving funds through his OPay account (No. 8081732375), while Godwin, who shared an apartment with Albert, confessed to receiving money through his own OPay account (No. 8160526905).

DSP John noted that the suspects are cooperating with the police to aid the recovery of SIM cards and trace other gang members still at large. She urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities.