An Osun-based journalist, Adesoji Omosebi has narrated how fraudsters using the name of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator George Akume have offered him position of Media Adviser to the President recently vacated by Ajuri Ngelale.
Omosebi, who is the Publisher of SOJ Worldwide, said the scammers started reaching out to him via a phone call and later moved to WhatsApp chats.
He wrote: Scammers, fraudsters are everywhere to the extent that Law Enforcement agents are overwhelmed. These faceless people do not have any demarcation, they attempted to steal from law enforcement agents without knowing it.
My experience last Wednesday, October 9, 2024 was a mind blowing, I received the call from the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume at 11.56am.
Initially, I thought the caller was directly from the SGF because the Truecaller showed the name as the caller.
When I picked the call, he started by saying, ‘Congratulations Adesoji’ and asked where is my location, I told him. My profile is in the public domain, I couldn’t have given him different information. He asked me to send my Ward and Unit through text message which I did.
It was after I dropped the phone call that it occured to me that SGF couldn’t have reached me for appointment at the Presidency. The thought of “this number must have been hacked by hackers” occupied my minds.
A thought came to my mind that I should get in touch with whoever I know that is close to the Presidency so that I will not be caught in the web.
I sent a message to one of my Clients at the Presidency telling him my experience with the recorded message sent to him.
He told me the man was a scammer and that there are many of them that have been arrested by the DSS, yet they keep on increasing.
I decided to play along with him, he called me the following day, I tried to ask him some basic question,
*Our Conversation*
Scammer: I got your information yesterday and I have sent your name to the Committee for screening since yesterday because they are doing verifications.
Me: Ok, what is it all about sir?
Scammer: What is your discipline?
Me: I am a Journalist
Scammer: Your position now.
Me: I am a Publisher
Scammer: You are taking the position of Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Me: Okay.
Scammer: You know that position is vacant with the exit of Ngelale. That’s why we are looking for somebody who has a knowledge in that field. I have three candidates, before the President travelled he said I should make sure I cleared them on Thursday which is today.
The DSS are doing the clearance, myself and the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA so that we can get your clearance done today so that next week you can come to Abuja.
So that you can get your letter before the President returned next week.
Are you okay with it?
Me: Yes, very much okay.
Scammer: You will send me brief information about your education, Clearance fee and Incentive fee because that one will go to the NSA. Is your Tax Clearance up to date?
Me: Yes.
Scammer: That is good, I will send it to them.
He called again,
Scammer: Oshiomhole recommended one Lawyer from Edo State, there is another one from Port Harcourt and you are from Osun you have B.Sc and Masters in Business Administration, I know you can do it, the Committee are working already, are you hearing me?
Me: Yes, am listening.
Scammer: They will clear you today, the only thing that is remaining, is your Tax Clearance up to date?
Me: Yes, but I will check it.
Scammer: I ask them to clear but the Clearance fee is N250k to the DSS and Vetting is N200k, I will send details of my Personal Secretary now and you send it immediately (Red Light).
“My P’S Acct Details’Faith BOXER, 2570041606, Eco Bank”
Me: Okay.
This wasn’t my first, second or third experiences from fraudsters but they keep on coming in advanced forms in different ways.
The last one was a fraudster who called at dead hour of the night, at 3.21am, telling me someone has paid for my life and they are on their way to come for me.
But their findings showed that I am a nice man in my neighborhood.
He asked for Three Million Naira for them to spare my life. After several calls and threats, I told him I dont have a dime in my account. I reported at the nearby Police Station. As I begin my report, the IPO told me they are fraudsters, that many victims have lodged their complaints with them.
But using the SGF and Chief of Staff names and position was strange to me and I cannot understand. These people must be an insider who knows the nitty-gritty of the State House in Abuja.
I decided not to pick his calls with the excuse that I am at a Seminar.
But I need to let him know that I am not a novice, I must let him know that he is a scammer.
This time, I picked his last call and this conversation ensued,
Scammer: I have forwarded your name to his Excellency (President) in London for confirmation.
Me: Okay, Okay, thank you very much, I just want to say one thing sir!
Scammer: Okay, am hearing you.
Me: Why is it that people will like you like to make others cry for them to live a fake life like you are doing?
Scammer: What do you mean now, I don’t know what you mean?
Me: Ya, I just spoken to DSS, they said what you people are doing is impersonation, you are impersonating the SGF, Chief of Staff and others, just for you to live a fake life and make others cry.
If I pay you N450,000, where do you think I would get it from?
Scammer: Did DSS call you?
Me: Yes, they said many people like you are in their custody.
Scammer: Maybe they are calling in respect of the screening.
Me: Not at all.
Scammer: If you say so, no problem, thank you. The conversation ends.
Details of the Scammers for the Police and DSS attention
SGF, Senator George Akume: 0705 5941169
Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila 07085763265
The account details he asked me to credit with N450,000,
My P’S Acct Details: Faith BOXER, 2570041606, Eco Bank Plc (Police or DSS should investigate this. How could a bank open any account with this name?).
Meanwhile, my contact person at the Presidency said he spoke with the SGF who said they have been cloning him and many of these criminals are in DSS custody and he is already tired of them.
They issued a Disclaimer Press Statement warning the general public to be wary of the fraudsters.
SGF warns public against falling victim
In reaction to the scam on internet, Akume has been warned Nigerians against falling victim of fake appointments by unscrupulous elements who are out to swindle unsuspecting individuals.
The SGF in a statement by Segun Imohiosen described as false the information circulating on the social media, emails, text messages, and other outlets urging members of the public to submit their Curriculum Vitae at a fee, to a non-existing desk at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to facilitate their selection for various Federal Government appointments.
The culprit has been using the name of the former Director of Information, Willie Bassey, and these fraudulent contacts; Aliyu Isah; +234 9168487156, +234 8035557865 and email; [email protected], among others to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
The general public is by this notice advised to be wary of the perpetrators of these dubious activities and their cohorts; and disregard such information being peddled around.
Any official enquiry and clarification should follow the official communication channels of the OSGF via www.osgf.gov.ng and [email protected].
In view of the above, the SGF warns peddlers of such fraudulent requests to desist forthwith from using the Office to fleece unsuspecting members of the public or face the wrath of the law.
