ASABA, Delta State — The Delta State Police Command has apprehended a suspect accused of defrauding victims by posing as a lost stranger in need of directions, only to exploit their trust through deceitful tactics.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe on X.com, the suspect allegedly employed fetish rituals to gain victims’ confidence before persuading them to hand over their money and belongings.
Edafe shared a video of the suspect explaining their modus operandi, stating, “Have you ever encountered people who pretend to be strangers and looking for direction? And they end up doing one or two fetish things and before you say jack, they convince you to give them all your money and belongings, you only get yourself when they disappear. Well, we have arrested one of them.”
In the video, the suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, admitted to deceiving victims by claiming to be a foreigner in need of assistance to transport goods. He allegedly promised victims a reward, such as a phone, in exchange for their help.
“I ask am St Micheal whether you know and she said no. I con tell her say I am not from this side. I’m from outside country, I carry market come. I come tell her say I pack my goods for reverend sister side, make we go that place say if them help me I go give them one phone them con agree follow me,” the suspect explained in the video.
The Delta State Police warned residents to be cautious of such fraudulent schemes and advised against engaging with strangers who solicit help using dubious methods. They assured the public of their commitment to combating crime and urged victims to report incidents promptly to law enforcement authorities.
Investigations into the suspect’s activities are ongoing, and the police are seeking to determine the extent of his alleged fraudulent activities across Delta State.