The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a sophisticated fraud syndicate that was impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, to defraud members of the public.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu disclosed that operatives of the Police Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit attached to JAMB National Headquarters arrested one suspect, Nwogba Arinze, while efforts continue to apprehend the alleged principal suspect, Nnabuife Nwekpa.
The investigation followed a petition submitted on August 10, 2026, by JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina, who alleged criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud. With the approval of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, detectives launched a multi-state probe that initially extended to Nasarawa and Katsina states. Individuals tracked in those states turned out to be victims who had been defrauded by the syndicate while the criminals posed as the Registrar.
Intelligence analysis of phone numbers and bank account details used in the scheme eventually led operatives to Anambra State. On August 27, 2026, police arrested Nwogba Arinze, who had been posing as the personal assistant to the JAMB Registrar.
Further investigation revealed that Arinze used the bank account and debit cards of his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity and receive proceeds of the fraud. Police said Arinze had been entrusted with the late nephew’s account details and cards to assist with funeral arrangements after the young man’s burial on July 31, 2026.
According to the police, the syndicate created fake social media accounts on platforms including WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn, using the Registrar’s name, photograph and official position without authorisation. Operating under this false identity, the suspects solicited members of the public with offers of official JAMB services or government contracts linked to the Ministry of Education, demanding payments ranging from ₦900,000 to ₦3 million as processing fees or alleged bribes.
Recovered from Arinze were an Access Bank ATM card and an Airtel SIM card registered in the name of the late Edeh Chimezie Benedict, as well as the deceased’s burial poster. The police described Nnabuife Nwekpa, said to be a close relative of Arinze and based in Onitsha, Anambra State, as the principal suspect still at large. Processes have been initiated to declare him wanted.
Arinze remains in police custody and is cooperating with investigators to help track down Nwekpa and other suspected accomplices. The Force has warned members of the public against dealing with individuals claiming to offer official JAMB or government contracts online, stressing that such approaches are often fraudulent.
The operation underscores ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and JAMB to combat examination-related and identity-based fraud that targets vulnerable citizens seeking educational or official services.
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