The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concerns over a surge in fake operatives impersonating its officers and targeting Nigerians.
On April 21, the commission raised alarms that its image is currently being attacked by criminal characters parading themselves as officers of the Commission in different guises.
The EFCC noted that the impersonators are using several ingenious but fraudulent means to besmirch its reputation. Specifically, some fake officers now operate around popular eateries and fun spots in major cities.
“Their modus operandi is laying ambush for innocent youths coming out of the Eateries and harassing them on unfounded suspicions of being internet fraudsters and dispossessing them of their valuables,” the commission stated.
They furthered that these characters usually portray the identities of authentic EFCC officers by dressing in fake uniforms. They also take their victims to locations bearing fictitious resemblance to an EFCC office, the statement added.
Additionally, the agency said other impersonators are harassing innocent motorists on the identities of their number plates. However, these sets wield dangerous weapons to compel victims to offer them money, unlike the other gangs.
Similarly, the EFCC remarked that online impersonators and fraudulent content creators are also misrepresenting its activities.
Per the statement;
There is yet another tribe of online impersonators and fraudulent content creators dramatizing fake sting operations of the EFCC with evidence of broken doors, windows and forced entrance into their premises.
Such uncharacteristic portrayals of the EFCC could deceive unsuspecting members of the public into holding the Commission and its officers culpable of contrived actions of impersonators, they added.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed indifference towards the agency’s plight, arguing that it brought the impersonation upon itself.
JayB said;
They know that you guys are very corrupt and the tools in the hands of the government hence, the reason they’ve decided to impersonate as one of your staff. If you’ve been operating the right way, there would be no reason to impersonate themselves as one of your staff.
Magnus Etta added that;
But you commission actually caused this. If your officers paraded themselves in a civilized way. When the approach a criminal they show you ID cards and warrants with the name and identity of the criminal then do you think fake EFCC impersonations will ever be a thing?
Tunella also noted that;
But your modus operadi is very much similar to this gang and so I ask, how do we differentiate between you guys and them? I think you should refocus your energy in going after these people rather than harassing Nigerians.
However, SmartTom opined that;
So, in the light of the prevailing circumstances, however, you haven’t told us how to detect a real efcc official, both fake and real share the same modus operandi, to avoid had I know.
