A dead man’s bank account should have been nothing more than a quiet reminder of a life that had ended. Instead, investigators say it became a trail leading to a suspected fraudster.
Yesterday, in Abuja, Force Public Relation Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu unfolded the latest JAMB impersonation case. Police alleged that Nwogba Arinze used the account of his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity while posing as the Personal Assistant to the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
What makes the story troubling is not just the alleged crime, but how easily deception can find its way into ordinary relationships, institutions and everyday transactions.
Fraud has become a disturbing part of Nigeria’s social landscape. It appears in different forms and wears different cloaks. From fake social media accounts and identity theft to fraudulent bank transfers, online scams and impersonation of public officials, the methods continue to change.
Some victims lose money; others lose their trust in people, institutions and even legitimate online services. The JAMB case is another reminder that fraud is no longer confined to dark corners. It can operate openly on social media, in business dealings and through seemingly ordinary bank accounts.
The danger goes beyond the money stolen. Fraud weakens the trust on which society depends. When people are afraid to respond to messages from officials, make online payments or believe genuine business offers because they fear being deceived, everyone pays a price.
Students and parents seeking information about examinations or admissions can be particularly vulnerable when criminals pretend to speak for trusted institutions. In such an environment, one convincing photograph, name or social media account can be enough to make a lie look like the truth.
But behind many fraud cases are also stories of persistence by investigators. In this case, police said the investigation began after a petition by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, alleging criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud.
Operatives attached to the JAMB National Headquarters followed phone numbers and bank account details connected to the alleged scheme. What initially appeared to lead investigators to Nasarawa and Katsina states turned out to involve people who were themselves victims. The trail eventually moved to Anambra State, where Arinze was arrested.
The investigation also illustrates how criminals can try to exploit the gaps created by modern technology and human trust. According to the police, the syndicate created fake social media accounts using the JAMB Registrar’s identity and allegedly used them to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Arinze is now in custody, while police are pursuing Nnabuife Nwekpa, identified as the alleged mastermind. The case is a reminder that every suspicious message, account or request for money deserves scrutiny, especially when it claims to come from a government official.
The wider lesson is clear: the fight against fraud cannot be left to the police alone. Citizens must verify information before sending money or sharing sensitive details. Institutions must protect their identities and warn the public quickly when impostors emerge.
Families, schools, banks and technology platforms also have roles to play. At the same time, law enforcement must continue to improve its ability to follow digital trails, identify offenders and bring them to justice.
For the police officers who followed this case from a petition to phone numbers, bank accounts and eventually an arrest in Anambra, the operation shows what patient and intelligent investigation can achieve. Their work deserves recognition, as does the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, in strengthening the Force’s response to modern forms of crime.
Fraud may continue to change its clothes, but determined investigators can keep pulling at the thread until the truth comes into view. And in a society where trust is increasingly under attack, every successful investigation is more than an arrest, it is a small but important victory for public confidence.
Femi Moliki writes from Lagos
