Fraudsters Using Magu’s Name To Extort Desperate Suspects – EFCC

MaguThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians to the antics of some fraudsters, who have been using the name of its Acting chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu to extort money from suspects.

The EFCC said it has not and will never mandate any individual to demand gratification from persons under investigation.

The commission alerted the public on the activities of the fraudsters in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement said: “It has come to the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some unscrupulous individuals now parade the streets posing as representatives of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and extorting money from persons under investigation, promising them a soft-landing and, in some instances, giving them assurances that their cases would be closed.

READ: Attempt To Link Magu With Arms Panel Scandal, Corruption’s Way Of Fighting Back – EFCC

“Intelligence available to the commission indicate that some of them who are known to have relationships with the acting chairman are exploiting this knowledge to position themselves as agents of the anti-graft czar, to extort desperate suspects under investigation by the commission”.

The statement reiterated an earlier warning by the EFCC to Nigerians to beware of some fraudulent individuals who were using Magu’s name illegally to solicit funds.

It asked anyone who approaches them for gratification to either report to the nearest office of the EFCC or police station.

It added: “In the recent past, the commission notified the public of the activities of some individuals who cloned the phone number of Magu, using same to illegally solicit funds. Some even opened fake Facebook accounts in the name of the EFCC boss and proceeded to use same to con unsuspecting citizens.

“But despite the alarms, it would seem that criminal minds are not deterred as their number seemed to have swelled.

“The commission, for the umpteenth time, wishes to warn members of the public not to fall for the wiles of fraudsters and scammers exploiting the good name of the acting EFCC Chairman to defraud desperate citizens.

“Mr. Magu has not and will never mandate any individual to demand gratification from persons under investigation.

“Members of the public are advised to report anyone who approaches them with a request for gratification on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, to the nearest EFCC office or police station”.