Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have busted a syndicate of five suspected land scammers.
The suspects were reportedly picked up from different parts of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State following a complaint that they duped an unsuspecting businessman of N23m.
The statement was disclosed by EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren on Monday.
The suspects whose ages range between 37 and 57 were identified as Imaikop Okon Dickson, Pius Edem Akpan, Imeh Sam George, Godwin Inyang Obong and Lucy Akpan.
“They were arrested based on a petition by one Emmanuel Etti who alleged that in July 2020, he got a call from one Grace Anietie Otuekong (at large) offering to sell a landed property belonging to the mother, Lucy Akpan, purportedly to save the life of her husband, one Hon. Anietie Otuekong that was critically ill.
“According to the complainant, he was made to pay the money to Lucy in cash which he did in tranches to the tune of N23m.
“He later suspected foul play when he requested for her account details to complete the payment and the suspects disappeared.
“Investigations into the matter revealed that the syndicate specialises in acquiring the master plan of a particular land and using same to dupe unsuspecting victims after claiming to be family members. This modus operandi worked for them for years before luck ran out of them on April 28, 2021 when operatives of the Commission arrested them,” he said.
Uwujaren also disclosed that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
