Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) National Headquarters have uncovered a fraud syndicate allegedly impersonating the board’s Registrar to defraud members of the public.
One suspect has been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the alleged principal suspect and other accomplices.
The operation followed a petition submitted by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, on Aug. 10, alleging criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud.
The Force spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, said police operatives immediately launched an investigation which extended to Nasarawa and Katsina States in an effort to track those behind the scheme.
He said persons initially traced in the two states were found to be victims who had themselves been defrauded by the syndicate after the criminals allegedly impersonated the Registrar.
According to Iniedu, investigations established that the syndicate created fake social media accounts using the Registrar’s identity to deceive unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of offering official JAMB services.
“Through intelligence gathering, operatives analysed the phone numbers and bank account details used in the scheme. The trail led to Anambra State, where police arrested Nwogba Arinze, who had been posing as the Personal Assistant to the Registrar,” he said.
Iniedu said Arinze was arrested on Aug. 27, 2026, and further investigation revealed that he allegedly used the bank account of his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity and evade detection.
He explained that Arinze had been entrusted with the late nephew’s account details and debit cards to assist with funeral arrangements held on July 31, 2026.
The police spokesperson said investigators were currently pursuing the alleged principal suspect, Nnabuife Nwekpa, said to be a close relative of Arinze.
He said Arinze remained in police custody and was cooperating with investigators in efforts to apprehend Nwekpa and identify any other accomplices linked to the alleged fraud syndicate.
