The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested six suspects in Masaka, Karu local government area for internet fraud with the aid of intelligence report.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer Ramhan Nansel on Sunday disclosed that the suspects through an online gay dating application lured unsuspecting victims to their hideout in the state.
According to the statement, members of the public are to be wary of their safety before pleasure.
“On 31/7/2022 at about 0720hrs, while acting based on credible information, Police operatives attached to Masaka Division in a sting operation, raided the hideout of some notorious criminals and arrested the following suspects: Sunday Michael, Luka Musa, Joy Sunday, Elijah Ishaya, Agada Sandra and Abdulrahman Tijani.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that, the suspects criminally conspired among themselves and utilise a popular gay dating app where they arrange dates with unsuspecting members of the public from different parts of the country, lure them to their hideout, hold them hostage and dispossess them of their belongings while threatening them with dangerous weapons.
“Furthermore, the victims are assaulted and forced to reveal their ATM Pin; their bank accounts is then wiped out before they are let go.
“Consequently, the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) which they collected from one of their victim who came in from Imo State on 30/7/2022 was recovered from the suspects as exhibit.”
The suspects confessed to have so far, lured eight (8) victims via same mode of operation and have made about One Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira, from their victims at different time.
The statement disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi has ordered for transfer of the case to State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia for in-depth investigation, upon conclusion, the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
Soyemi urged members of the public to be mindful of the friends they make on social media noting that safety is of paramount importance before pleasure.