Enugu, December 6, 2023 – In a swift operation, the Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a 26-year-old male suspect, Somtochukwu Franklin, for allegedly impersonating the popular philanthropist Emmanuel Okoh, widely known as “Okwuluora,” on Facebook to scam unsuspecting members of the public.
The arrest, carried out by diligent police operatives from the New Haven Police Division on December 3, 2023, at approximately 12:30 p.m., was based on credible information received by the authorities.
According to preliminary investigations, Franklin confessed to creating a fraudulent Facebook account under the name “Okwuluora” in January 2023. Subsequently, he exploited the platform to deceive his over thirty-three thousand followers, soliciting funds purportedly for charitable causes.
Franklin’s modus operandi involved closely monitoring Okoh’s authentic Facebook posts seeking financial support for individuals in need. Upon identifying such appeals, he promptly replicated the content on his fake account, altering the bank details to redirect donations into his own account. This duplicitous scheme allowed him to amass funds amounting to tens of thousands of Naira from unsuspecting donors.
In response to this reprehensible act, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has directed the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (State CID) to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into the matter. The CP emphasized the importance of a swift prosecution to ensure justice is served.
CP Kanayo Uzuegbu also urged victims of the fraudulent activities to come forward and provide statements to aid in the investigation. Additionally, he issued a public warning, urging citizens to exercise caution on social media platforms and remain vigilant against fraudulent activities, especially during the festive season.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, affirmed the commitment of the Enugu State Police Command to safeguarding the public from cybercrimes and social media impersonation. He encouraged cooperation from the public and assured that the police force would relentlessly pursue justice in this case.
Citizens who have fallen victim to this scam are urged to report to the State CID, providing any relevant information that may aid in the ongoing investigation.
