The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted the public over looming trends by some fraudsters parading themselves as agents of Non Governmental Organizations and Contractors and they have duped innocent citizens.

Zonal Head Yobe and Borno office, Aminu Ado Aliyu warned in press briefing in Maiduguri on Thursday that due to lack of awareness in Maiduguri environs, perpetrators of these heinous acts are advised to desist from it.

” In view of this, the general public is hereby warned to be wary of these individuals and fake documents they present with a view to avoiding being praying on. The rate is so alarming and predominant within Maiduguri metropolis.”

” We had a situation where three people conspired and forcefully presented themselves as staff of a certain NGO that the NGO have requested for the supply of food stuffs and some other items worth #15m. After receiving the said items, the culprits disappeared.”

” A fraudster who claimed to be an agent of an NGO presented fake purchase order purported to be from the NGO to an individual the suspect requested the sum of #40million,” he revealed.

Aminu however warned and advised the public to verify any contract documents from anybody who claimed to be from an NGO before the release of funds, goods and payment.”

” As a matter of urgency, businesses and professional bodies such as NGOs, consultants and consulting firms, construction companies, hotels, cars dealers, amongst others are to register with Anti Money Laundering companies and easy verifications.”

“The perpetrator of these heinous acts are advice to desist from it as the Commission.” Aminu warned.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust report