A couple has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on suspicion of engaging in employment fraud.

During a press briefing held at the headquarters of NSCDC in Uyo, Commandant Eluyemi Eluwade declared the arrest.

On July 22, Blessing Ezekiel (27) and her spouse Joseph Ufot (46) were apprehended along IBB Avenue in the city of Uyo for their alleged involvement in scamming people through phony job offers.

As per Mr. Eluwade’s report, they duped several individuals by taking N4,800 from each victim under false pretenses and distributing fraudulent appointment letters.

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The leader of the NSCDC also disclosed that the pair ran a fraudulent NGO called Child Support Foundation, which claimed to be backed by UNICEF.

Reportedly, families were required to pay a fee of N1,000 per child for registration under the pretense of benefiting from a grant that did not exist. As many as 7,000 children are said to have been enrolled in this program.

Mr. Eluwade censured the practice of deceiving unsuspecting individuals into paying money with vague guarantees of employment and advised job seekers to cautiously scrutinize information, being wary of such swindlers.

After the investigation comes to an end, the suspects will be brought before a court for arraignment.