The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 32 suspects in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for alleged involvement in a ponzi-style investment and fake employment scheme.
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate carried out the coordinated raid on October 14, 2025, following weeks of surveillance on the group’s activities at multiple locations, including Ekom Iman Flyover, Transformer Junction along Abak Road, and Apostolic Lane, Nwaniba.
According to a statement on Friday by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the syndicate deceived hundreds of victims across Nigeria with promises of employment at a non-existent firm, Tropicana Oil and Gas Company, and high returns on investments disguised as network marketing through Q-Net.
Oyewale said, “The suspects are Miracle Samuel, Christopher Samuel, Yohana Sabo, Ahmed Abdullahi Yarima, Reuben Ezekiel, Terfa Godwin, Zakurs Yakubu, Isah Jaafar Jagaba, Clement Nwakonobi, Rosemary Vifilo Yusuf Ataza, Francis Samuel, Tatah Fidelis, Emenike Ikechukwu, David Allawo, Danjuma Ibrahim, Blessing Seagod, Suleiman Saidu, Nuhu Bridget, Ebi Nwose, Anthony Fredrick, Mathew Satasi Zamani, Hassan Yakubu, Benjamin Obadiah, Stephen Joseph, Toma Peter, Samson Galadimma, Ochim Agnes and Mahmud Sufiyan.”
Oyewale said a petitioner told investigators he was deceived by a relative who claimed there was a job opening at Tropicana Oil and Gas Company.
He said he abandoned his tailoring business in Kogi State and travelled to Uyo, only to realise the supposed company did not exist.
According to him, members of the syndicate demanded ₦900,000 as “employment processing fee,” insisting on an initial deposit of ₦150,000. “After the interview, they gave me a Q-Net form instead of a Tropicana Oil and Gas form and warned me to stop asking questions,” he said.
Oyewale said the petitioner added that after paying the full amount, he was asked to recruit two people into the scheme to qualify for weekly dollar payments.
“When I realised it was a trap to lure others, I stopped cooperating and contacted the EFCC,” he said.
Oyewale said EFCC investigations showed that the group collected millions of naira from victims nationwide under the pretext of job offers and investment opportunities.
The suspects allegedly misrepresented their activities as product marketing, promising unrealistic profits.
“So far, some of their identified victims and the sums they were defrauded include: Abubakar Umar Favour ₦1,000,000; Tanko Kasimu ₦800,000; Abubakar Abdurahman Jimba ₦900,000; Usman Faisu Adamu ₦900,000; Korna Emmanuel ₦950,000; Yakubu Musa ₦160,000; Happiness Mathew ₦100,000; Umbugu Akolo Revelation N80,000; Hussani Aminu ₦200,000; Samuel James ₦200,000; Albert Gabriel ₦250,000; Daniel Dorathy ₦1,700,000; and Kasimu Lukman Haruna ₦850,000. Investigations are ongoing, with more victims expected to come forward,” Oyewale added.
He said 35 mobile phones, two Point-of-Sale machines, three public address systems, and several incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered from the suspects.
The EFCC spokesperson warned Nigerians to be cautious of entities promising guaranteed or unrealistic investment returns, stressing the need to verify the licensing status of firms before committing funds.
