By ZUBAIRU IDRIS

Operatives of Zone One Police Headquarters, Kano, have detained Ali Alhassan-Mohammed over alleged employment fraud, impersonation and forgery.

The Zone’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Hussaini, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano.

Hussaini said operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department arrested the suspect following complaints from members of the public.

He said the suspect allegedly collected money from unsuspecting job seekers, promising to secure government appointments for them.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly presented himself as a Special Assistant in Kano State Universal Basic Education Board.

“He used the false identity to gain the confidence of prospective job seekers,” Hussaini said.

The PPRO said more than 10 victims had so far come forward during the investigation.

He added that investigations revealed the suspect allegedly collected more than ?40 million from his victims.

According to Hussaini, the suspect confessed to defrauding more than 20 people and producing fake appointment letters.

“He admitted to producing and presenting fake appointment letters to some of them as evidence of purported appointments,” he said.

The police spokesman said some of the fake appointment letters had been recovered from the suspect as exhibits.

Hussaini said the suspect remained in police custody and would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone One, Garba Ahmed, cautioned members of the public against paying money to anyone promising government employment.

The AIG urged members of the public to verify claims by individuals seeking money in exchange for government jobs or appointments. (NAN)