The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended a suspect, Adewale Arojah, for allegedly impersonating a cleric on Facebook and defrauding victims of over N18 million. According to the police, Arojah used a duplicated Facebook account bearing the identity of Muyiwa Akogun, popularly known as "Prophet Dr. Muyiwa Akogun." The suspect, a spiritual son of Akogun, allegedly deceived unsuspecting members of the public, targeting those seeking spiritual assistance through the cleric's Facebook page.
The arrest was made following a complaint lodged on October 3 by Muyiwa Akogun, who reported that members of the public were complaining about fraudulent activities being carried out through the duplicated Facebook account. Police operatives of the Ilaro division were deployed to track the suspect, and sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led investigation led to his arrest in a village in Ajegunle.
During interrogation, Arojah confessed to impersonating Akogun and using his identity to offer fake prophecies and prayer services to unsuspecting victims. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect defrauded victims in Nigeria and abroad of over N18 million. The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abeokuta for further investigation.
The police are working to determine the extent of the alleged offences and identify possible accomplices. Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for their vigilance and swift response, reaffirming the command's commitment to tackling cybercrime, identity theft, and other forms of criminality in the state.
The police have advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of social media accounts belonging to religious leaders and public figures before engaging with them. Citizens are urged to avoid transferring money to unverified persons for spiritual remedies or other services. The Gateway Shield toll-free line and other numbers have been provided for reporting cybercrime, impersonation, and suspicious activities.
The Ogun State Police Command's efforts to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from online scams are ongoing. The command's spokesman, Oluseyi Babaseyi, emphasized the importance of public awareness and cooperation in preventing such crimes. The police are working to ensure that perpetrators of cybercrime and identity theft are brought to justice.
The case highlights the need for caution when interacting with social media accounts, especially those of religious leaders and public figures. The police will continue to investigate and prosecute cases of cybercrime and identity theft, and citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Key points
- The suspect, Adewale Arojah, allegedly defrauded victims of over N18 million by impersonating a prophet on Facebook.
- The Ogun State Police Command is committed to tackling cybercrime, identity theft, and other forms of criminality in the state.
- The police have advised citizens to verify the authenticity of social media accounts and avoid transferring money to unverified persons.
