The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives have arrested a 32-year-old man, Nwogba Arinze, for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, to defraud members of the public.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on August 27, 2026, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, following a petition by the JAMB Registrar over alleged criminal conspiracy, online impersonation, identity theft and fraud.
The police said the suspect and his accomplices created and operated telephone number 08139433155, using the name, photograph and office of the JAMB Registrar on WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn without authorisation.
The suspects allegedly used the fake identity to solicit members of the public for purported government and JAMB contracts.
In some cases, victims were allegedly asked to pay between N900,000 and N3 million as processing fees and purported bribes to influence officials of the Ministry of Education.
The arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit deployed to JAMB headquarters after the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, approved the petition.
The investigation was conducted across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
Police said a prima facie case had been established against Arinze under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
Among the exhibits recovered from the suspect was an Access Bank ATM card belonging to the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, which police said was allegedly used to receive proceeds of the fraud.
Also recovered was an Airtel SIM card registered in the late man’s name and his burial poster.
The Force said a second principal suspect, Nnabuife Nwekpa, of Onitsha, Anambra State, remains at large, adding that processes have commenced to declare him wanted.
The police warned members of the public against dealing with individuals claiming to represent the JAMB Registrar through WhatsApp or other social media platforms.
The Force stressed that the JAMB Registrar does not award contracts or solicit payments through WhatsApp or social media, urging members of the public to verify suspicious communications through official channels.
The police also advised anyone who encounters suspected fraudulent activity to report it to the nearest police station or through official police channels.
