The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven members of a suspected fraud syndicate accused of hypnotising unsuspecting victims under the pretense of seeking directions.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the group had specialised in luring and dispossessing people of their cash, phones, and jewellery.
“Have you ever come across people who pretend like they are looking for direction? We’ve been hearing of this syndicate that usually acts in that guise and eventually manages to hypnotise their victims. Today, seven suspects who are notorious for such acts have been apprehended. The law has finally caught up with them,” Edafe said in a video posted on his official X.com handle.
One of the suspects admitted that the operation was a “419 business” that involved three key actors identified as Cashama, Jejeti and Citama. He explained how each played a role in deceiving victims. Another member revealed that the gang had made about ₦2.7 million from five victims through the scheme.
Some of the victims also recounted their ordeals. A man identified as Fullness said he was approached by one of the fraudsters who pretended to be lost. Out of pity, he agreed to help, only to be hypnotised after entering their vehicle.
“I lost all sense of awareness and before I knew it, they had taken ₦2.5 million cash from me, along with two phones valued at over ₦2 million,” he said.
Another victim, Daniel, narrated how the gang dispossessed him of jewellery and electronic gadgets worth more than ₦7 million.
The police said investigations are ongoing and assured residents that the suspects would face prosecution.
