The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Cornelius Aderanti, has warned lagosians to be wary of fraudulent impostors. He claims that fraudsters are using his name on Facebook and other social networks to defraud members of the public.
The CP said the modus operandi of the fraudsters was to communicate with members of the public online, promising to help them solve their problems, including helping them to retrieve seized goods from the Nigeria Customs Service.
Aderanti, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the CP had never appointed anybody to act on his behalf.
He, therefore, advised members of the public to always check with the police authorities directly so as not to fall victim to fraudsters.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the CP has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous persons who are in the habit of using his name and office to defraud innocent and gullible members of the public.
“These criminals function as a syndicate and useFacebook and other social networks claiming to be the CP and promising to help gullible persons to solve their problems. These problems could range from clearing of seized goods from the customs to virtually any other area where their would-be victim claim to have issues.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the CP has not appointed any agent, privy or proxy to act on his behalf in this regard. As a professional police officer of international repute, he does not indulge in any act that may bring the Force to disrepute.
“Members of the public who have genuine issues that require police action are advised to channel same to the police command headquarters.”
