The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a woman, Ogechi Okechukwu, and a medical doctor from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals through a fake surgery fundraising scheme on social media.
According to police reports, Okechukwu and the doctor conspired to deceive people on Facebook by falsely claiming she needed financial assistance for a critical surgical procedure. To make the appeal appear genuine, the doctor allegedly provided fake medical reports, drug prescriptions, and staged medical procedures, including a fake intravenous drip, a falsified blood transfusion, and fabricated scan results.
A Facebook influencer, Iwaoma Susan Joseph, was among those misled by the fraudulent appeal. She unknowingly helped raise ₦800,000 from kindhearted donors, believing the request was legitimate.
Lagostrend gathered that the suspects are currently in police custody as investigations into the fraudulent scheme continue.
The scheme was uncovered after police discovered incriminating evidence of conversations between Okechukwu and the doctor on her mobile phone. Following their arrest, both suspects were placed in detention as investigations continue.
Authorities have urged the public to be cautious of online fundraising appeals and verify claims before making donations.
