Suspects allegedly cloned Registrar’s identity across WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Truecaller to lure Nigerians with fake government contracts
ABUJA, September 9, 2026 — What appeared to unsuspecting Nigerians to be messages from the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, was allegedly part of a carefully orchestrated online impersonation scheme designed to extract millions of naira from victims.
The Nigeria Police Force has now arrested a 32-year-old man, Nwogba Arinze, over the alleged scheme, which reportedly involved the unauthorised use of the JAMB Registrar’s name, photograph and official position across social media and caller-identification platforms.
Arinze was arrested on August 27 in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, after an intelligence-led investigation triggered by a petition from the JAMB Registrar.
The Police disclosed the development during a press briefing and parade of suspects at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
According to the Police, Arinze and his alleged accomplices operated telephone number 08139433155 while presenting it as belonging to the JAMB Registrar.
The alleged fraudsters reportedly created fake profiles using the Registrar’s identity on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn.
With the identity of a senior public official allegedly displayed on their profiles, the suspects reportedly contacted members of the public and offered purported government and JAMB contracts.
The Police said the deception went further, with some victims allegedly asked to pay between ₦900,000 and ₦3 million as processing fees and purported bribes to influence officials of the Ministry of Education.
What victims allegedly believed was access to lucrative government opportunities was, according to investigators, an elaborate impersonation and fraud operation.
JAMB Petition Triggers Investigation
The operation began to unravel after the JAMB Registrar petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged impersonation.
Following approval by IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, investigators from the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit (PIOIU) working at JAMB Headquarters launched an investigation.
The investigation stretched across the FCT, Nasarawa, Anambra and Ebonyi states, with investigators following leads connected to the alleged digital and financial activities.
The trail eventually led detectives to Abakaliki, where Arinze was arrested on August 27.
Financial Trail Under Investigation
Police investigators also recovered exhibits which they say are connected to the alleged operation.
These include an Access Bank ATM card allegedly belonging to the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, an Airtel SIM card registered in the deceased’s name and a burial poster bearing the deceased’s details.
The Police said the bank card was allegedly used to receive proceeds of the fraud.
The recovered items could prove significant as investigators work to establish how the alleged operation was financed, how victims were contacted and where funds obtained from the scheme were transferred.
Another Suspect Wanted
The Police said the alleged operation may involve more than the arrested suspect.
A second principal suspect, identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa of Onitsha, Anambra State, remains at large.
The Force said it has commenced the process of declaring him wanted and is continuing efforts to locate and apprehend him.
Police Issue Fresh Warning to Nigerians
The case has prompted the Nigeria Police Force to issue a fresh warning about online impersonation and fake government contract schemes.
The Force categorically stated that the JAMB Registrar does not award contracts or request payments through WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Truecaller or other social media platforms.
Members of the public have consequently been advised to treat unsolicited messages from individuals claiming to be senior government officials with extreme caution.
The Police particularly warned against paying so-called processing fees or money allegedly required to influence government officials.
Citizens are encouraged to independently verify such claims through official channels before taking any financial action.
Prima Facie Case Established
The Police said investigations have established a prima facie case against Arinze under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
The provisions cited by the Force include Sections 14(2), 22(B), 22(3) and 27.
The allegations against the suspect include criminal conspiracy, online impersonation, identity theft and online fraud.
The Police said the suspect would be arraigned in court after the completion of administrative procedures.
Technology Versus Technology
The case also highlights a growing challenge confronting law-enforcement agencies in Nigeria: criminals are increasingly exploiting social media, instant messaging applications and digital identities to impersonate influential individuals and public institutions.
But the Police response demonstrates that investigators are also increasingly relying on intelligence and technology to trace digital footprints and identify alleged perpetrators.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to using intelligence and technology to protect Nigerians from cybercrime.
He also stressed the importance of safeguarding the credibility of public institutions against criminals who seek to exploit their names and offices for financial gain.
As the investigation continues and efforts intensify to apprehend the suspect still at large, the Police are urging Nigerians to remember one crucial rule in the digital age:
A profile picture is not proof of identity. A WhatsApp message is not an official government letter. And a promise of a government contract should never be trusted without independent verification.
