Police operatives in Rivers have busted a job racketeering syndicate in the state.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

He said the gang specialises in advertising non-existent employment vacancies to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.

Disu added that the operatives rescued 16 victims held by the gang during a raid of its hideout.

He said the syndicate was uncovered when officers from the Octopus Strike Force responded to a distress call from concerned residents, who suspected a hostage situation.

The CP said: “Police operatives acted swiftly and raided a compound in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, arresting one Chukwudi Okoli, who had been posing as an employee of Ojoseansel International Global Limited.

“During the operation, one Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims, comprising 13 males and two females, were rescued and taken to the station.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that each victim had paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company.”

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He also alleged that the company had falsely promised the victims jobs in the oil and gas industry, with salaries purportedly paid in United States dollars.

“The fraudsters operated by randomly selecting phone numbers and contacting potential victims, introducing them to fake job opportunities.

“They would then invite the victims to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews.

“Investigators further discovered that after extorting large sums of money, the victims were detained in a facility, where they were closely monitored,” Disu added.

He listed items recovered from the gang’s operational base to include mobile cell phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans, and office furniture.

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