Police Arrest Man Posing as JAMB Registrar to Defraud Victims

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 32-year-old man, Nwogba Arinze, for allegedly posing as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, to defraud members of the public.

Police said Arinze and his accomplices targeted people seeking government and JAMB contracts.

The suspect was arrested on August 27, 2026, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, following a petition from the JAMB Registrar.

The Acting Director, Force Public Relations Department, who briefed journalists on behalf of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the suspect faces allegations of conspiracy, online impersonation, identity theft and fraud.

According to the police, the suspects created and operated telephone number 08139433155 using the Registrar’s name, photograph and office details.

They allegedly used the identity across WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn without authorisation.

The impersonators then approached unsuspecting victims with offers of purported government and JAMB contracts.

Police said the suspects demanded between N900,000 and N3 million from some victims as processing fees and alleged bribes.

The money, they claimed, would influence officials of the Ministry of Education and facilitate the contracts.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit (PIOIU).

The unit had been seconded to the JAMB headquarters after the IGP approved the petition.

Police said the investigation covered the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Anambra and Ebonyi states.

The investigation also established a prima facie case against Arinze under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended.

During the arrest, detectives recovered three items from the suspect.

They included an Access Bank ATM card belonging to the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, which police said the syndicate used to receive proceeds from the alleged fraud.

Detectives also recovered an Airtel SIM card registered in the deceased’s name.

A burial poster bearing the deceased’s name was the third item recovered.

Police identified the second principal suspect as Nnabuife Nwekpa of Onitsha, Anambra State.

Nwekpa remains at large, while the Force has started the process of declaring him wanted.

The police warned Nigerians against responding to social media accounts or messages from people claiming to represent the JAMB Registrar or other public officials.

The Force stressed that the JAMB Registrar does not award contracts or request payments through WhatsApp or other social media platforms.

It advised members of the public to use verified official channels for JAMB-related information and transactions.

The police also urged anyone who receives suspicious messages about JAMB contracts or government appointments to report them to the nearest police station.

They may also report such cases through the official communication channels of the Nigeria Police Force.

Police said they would arraign Arinze after completing the necessary administrative procedures.

IGP Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to using intelligence and technology to combat cybercrime and protect public institutions.