From Lateef Taiwo

Tension heightens in Delta State as Job racketeers , otherwise known as Job scammers have allegedly rip-off hundreds of unsuspecting Job seekers across the 25 local government areas of the state.

With estimated sums of N765million of naira allegedly swindled from these employment seeks, It was gathered that many of them have allegedly Committed Suicide having returned to their villages in hopeless manners.

Investigation revealed that the scammers in the last two years have operating in Asaba, Sapele and Ughelli North, South, Burutu, Bomadi, Patani among others with recruited agents armed with employment forms, printed letter heads that go for N50,000 each.

In Asaba, for instance, these Job racketeers are seen in a popular local hotel ( namewitheld) behind the Asaba township Stadium where the unsuspecting Job seekers are interviewed after meeting the stipulated financial Obligations to work in faceless Offices including marketing agents. Expectedly, many of the Unemployed have been duped while the females, especially the beautiful daughters of eve are taken through slaughter slabs before they are giving the fake employment forms to fill.

Further investigation revealed that these agents of darkness are on daily basis making fortunes from desperate Job seekers, many of whom are ready to do anything so long they get Jobs to eke out living for themselves and their families.

In Ughelli metropolis, Sapele, Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, among others, there is always hue and cry meted out on the Job seekers by Scammers who are not bothered about the aftermath of their nefarious activities with their agents hanging around Strategic locations where they give out Fliers with bold inscription ” Job opportunities” to unsuspecting persons especially Passersby.. Some victims of these unfortunate activities, one of them in Asaba, Mr Philip Membu who spoke to our correspondent said ” I got their Fliers and made straight to their Location around Awai road where I met three heavy looking men that were well dressed.. After the interview, they gave me forms for N50,000 and I Paid but after the days they asked me to resume work I went as told , to my shocking unfolding drama the People have disappeared from the location and the Office closed.It happened to many of us until we reported to the Police”

Sources alleged that the scammers have letter heads with logo seals giving Credence to them that their Job placements are genuine for Job seekers.But a lady in Ughelli metropolis, Mrs Betsy Mkpolor who spoke to our correspondent on telephone said'” I lost N150,000 to these fraudsters before I knew I was finished, they had disappeared. Ughelli metropolis used to be beehive of activities by these Scammers who print handbills that are distributed to people with their GSM phone numbers”

In most cases, young ladies are allegedly hired with disarming dress sense and handbills in various streets of Asaba, Ibusa, Okpanam metropolis hanging around Strategic locations where unsuspecting persons are hoodwink into having to do business with them( Scammers) thereafter, rip them off in huge sums of money..Worse hit, is the current situation of poor economy, a situation that has helped these Scammers to woo more of these unsuspecting persons to buying fake employment forms, printed letters, among others before they are duped. In swift reaction, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe confirmed that the police have arrested in the recent times five Suspects who upon interrogation Confessed to the Crimes adding that they will be Charged to Court on Completion of investigation.

Meanwhile, DSP Bright Edafe further confirmed that the police have been put on strategic locations where these Scammers can be arrested and send to Jail, disclosing that there have been several cases of frauds in various stations, adding that it will be no longer be business as usual for these individuals who have invaded various Cities in Delta State. Delta State Government through its Secretary to the State Government ( SSG) Dr Kingsley Emu in a statement signed last week, warned Deltans against Patronizing fake employment givers, disclosing that the state government will not take responsibility of their nonchalant attitude when they are duped..Part of the statement reads:We are aware of these Scammers across the state and Security agents are on their look out with a view to ensuring that they are arrested and arraigned in Court.We hereby warn Deltans against Patronizing these Criminals and their activities”