By Stephen Simon
The Bauchi State Police Command has raised the alarm over the reported return of fraudsters allegedly using counterfeit United States dollars to deceive and defraud unsuspecting residents.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, saying two suspects had been arrested within the week in connection with alleged counterfeit currency-related fraud.
According to Habib, one of the suspects reportedly travelled from Lagos to Bauchi, where he allegedly defrauded a victim of more than N4 million before assaulting him.
“We have arrested two people suspected of being involved in this kind of fraud this week. One of them came from Lagos and allegedly defrauded a man of more than N4 million before assaulting him,” the police spokesperson said.
Habib explained that Bauchi had previously witnessed similar incidents involving individuals who allegedly used fake dollars to lure unsuspecting members of the public into fraudulent transactions.
He said security agencies had succeeded in pushing such criminals out of the state in the past, but recent developments indicated that the perpetrators were beginning to return.
“We had succeeded in driving them away in the past, but we have now noticed that they have returned to the state,” he said.
The police urged residents, particularly traders and foreign exchange dealers, to exercise caution when approached with unusually cheap offers involving foreign currency or other goods.
Habib warned that attempts to secure foreign currency or merchandise at prices significantly below the prevailing market rate could expose individuals to criminal activities, especially when transactions are conducted in unauthorised locations.
“Sometimes, the desire to get something cheaply can lead people into trouble because they may go to places that are not approved by the government, particularly areas where fraudsters hide to deceive their victims,” he said.
He advised members of the public to conduct foreign exchange transactions only through recognised financial institutions, including commercial banks and licensed Bureau de Change operators.
The command also urged residents to report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies and avoid dealing with individuals or groups operating outside legally approved channels.
