The Nigeria Police Force has busted a suspected JAMB impersonation syndicate, arresting a man accused of posing as the Personal Assistant to the Board’s Registrar and using a deceased relative’s bank account to allegedly conceal his identity.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit attached to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) National Headquarters uncovered the syndicate following a petition by the Board’s Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina.
According to Iniedu, the petition, dated August 10, 2026, alleged criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud.
He said following approval by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, operatives immediately commenced an investigation, which extended to Nasarawa and Katsina states in an effort to track down members of the syndicate.
“However, individuals initially tracked in those states were discovered to be victims who had been defrauded by the syndicate while the criminals impersonated the Registrar,” Iniedu said.
The Force spokesman said investigators subsequently discovered that the syndicate had created fake social media accounts using the identity of the JAMB Registrar to defraud unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of providing official services.
He said that through intelligence gathering, operatives analysed the telephone numbers and bank account details allegedly used in the scheme, leading them to Anambra State.
“In Anambra State, operatives arrested Nwogba Arinze, who had been posing as the Personal Assistant to the Registrar,” he said.
Iniedu said Arinze, who was taken into custody on August 27, 2026, allegedly used the bank account of his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity and evade detection.
He explained that the suspect had been entrusted with the deceased’s account details and debit cards to assist with funeral arrangements held on July 31, 2026.
The police spokesman said further investigation had identified Nnabuife Nwekpa, described as a close relative of Arinze, as the alleged principal suspect in the scheme.
He said operatives were currently intensifying efforts to apprehend Nwekpa and any other accomplices linked to the syndicate.
“Arinze remains in police custody and is cooperating with investigators to assist in apprehending Nwekpa and any other accomplices,” Iniedu said.
The Force urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activities promptly to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
Iniedu said the development underscored the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating cyber-enabled fraud, impersonation and other forms of criminality.
He quoted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as reiterating the Force’s commitment to combating crime and upholding public integrity across the country.
