Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested one Somtochukwu Franklin for allegedly using the Facebook account name of a philanthropist Emmanuel Okoh, popularly known as “Okwuluora” to defraud people.
Franklin, aged 26, was arrested by the operatives on December 3, 2023, at about 12:30 p.m.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect confessed to committing the crime.
He disclosed that he created the fake “Okwuluora” Facebook account in January 2023 and has since been using it to solicit funds from his over thirty-three thousand followers.
According to the suspect, he usually waits for the real “Okwuluora” to make a post soliciting support for persons in situations requiring financial assistance.
He then immediately copies and posts them on the fake Facebook account, changing the beneficiary’s account details to his own, thereby fraudulently obtaining funds from unsuspecting donors.
Speaking further, the suspect revealed that he has received funds running into tens of thousands of Naira from donors.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department to conduct a further thorough investigation and ensure the timely prosecution of the suspect.
