Operatives of the Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) have apprehended fourteen persons over their connection in allegedly defrauding unsuspecting job seekers.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Agboola Sunday, while parading the suspects to newsmen in Ado Ekiti said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Counter Terrorists Unit of the Command.
The suspects comprising seven females were said to be duping and extorting money from the innocent Nigerians under the pretext of securing job opportunities for them.
Sunday who revealed that they camped their victims at a location with the promise to provide employment for them, assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
The NSCDC boss said, “We have before me syndicates that specialise in duping people through employment scam. They invite some of them from other states and promise to give them employment, from there, they will kidnap and detain them.
“The case will be thoroughly investigated and make sure that the law takes it course as well as get to the root of this crime.
“I will advise members of the public to ensure they go to the right channels when looking for employment. All these online is somehow dubious because you don’t know who is who. Let them know the company they want to apply to, or the organisation so that they will not fall victims to all these criminals,” he said.
One of the victims who identified himself as Ayala Favour told journalists that he came from Ogbomoso in Oyo state to Ado-Ekiti for employment in the company named Quest Company through one of the agents who contacted him on Facebook.
Ayala who alleged that he paid N70, 000 for file and accommodation after sending his details to then said the suspects did not allow them to communicate with anyone outside the premises where they were lodged in the state.
His words: “I came from Ogbomosho to Ado-Ekiti. I met a friend on Facebook, and I asked what they do for a living and he said he is working in a company which is Quest Company.
“I have paid N70,000. They said N20, 000 is used to submit files and N50, 000 is for accommodation. I noticed that they don’t give us free hands to do anything. We can’t communicate with anyone.”
Fielding questions from journalists, one of the suspects said, “We are registered with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). The headquarters is in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippine. Our Coordinator is based in Lagos. We have never given a job and we collect N20,000 from them as apartment fees.
“We met on Facebook and when he came, we explained the business to him. He said that he liked it and that he will find money to do it. Today, he said that his dad called him to be coming home. The money we collected is for the file,” the suspect said.
