The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned fraudsters, impostors and name droppers to stop using the name of its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and claiming that they have his permission to ask for payments to secure the release of suspects under investigation by the Commission.

It was the second time in less than 24 hours that the commission would warn scammers. The first was about email scams.

This time, the EFCC said some unsuspecting members of the public have fallen victim for the second scam and made huge payments to this syndicate.

The Commission warned the public to be wary of the activities of these fraudulent individuals who have no relationship whatsoever with Mr. Magu and the EFCC.

“I have not mandated anybody to collect money on my behalf from any person or organisation. It is not in my character to do so otherwise I will not be in this office. I am contented with what I am paid at the end of the month”, Magu said.

He called on members of the public, especially relatives and friends of persons under investigation by the Commission to quickly report any person who approaches them with a proposal to collect bribe on his behalf for the release of their loved ones, to the Commission.

“Anyone caught trying to tarnish my hard earned reputation and integrity must be prepared to face the music. I have accounts in three banks and, on no account should anybody make lodgement into any of my accounts without my knowledge”, the EFCC boss warned.

“In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in the activities of scammers who parade themselves as having links with leadership of the Commission and the capability to release suspects. Some of the scam calls sent to members of the public across the country, conveyed the Commission’s purported readiness to “play ball, release suspects as long as reasonable settlement is arranged”, the EFCC said in a statement by Wilson Uwujaren its spokesman.

Uwujaren said Mr. Magu has promised that the Commission will discharge its duties, “guided solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law and not any pecuniary motive”.

“The public are advised to report calls from suspected scammers and forward the callers’ numbers to the EFCC via the following: [email protected], [email protected]. The Commission could also be reached on the folowing hotlines: 09-9044571, 09-9044572, 09-9044573,” he added.