Plans have been concluded by the Anti Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, to deploy forensic imputs, intelligence skills and in-depth investigation to combat fraud and other financial crimes.

According to newly promoted Commissioner of Police in-charge of the unit, Dan Nkem Okoro, during an interaction with Crime Reporters In Lagos, acknowledging that the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris promised to give needed muscle to reduce fraud to an insignificant level in the country.

Okoro, a crime buster said the unit under his leadership would be repositioned to the best in combating all manner of cyber fraud, advance fee fraud and other related cases in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police as well as the anti-corruption war of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the unit would employ international best practices, forensic input, modern day intelligence gathering approaches, technology driven investigative methods, to tackle complicated, multifaceted cyber fraud, among others, which have painted the country in bad light internationally.

Okoro warnedcorporate bodies, banks, oil companies, other financial instituions, such as the Stock Exchange, Federal and state government agencies, embassies, maritime operators, Bureau De Change operators, educational instituions, NGOs, real estate/land speculators involved in fraudulent deals, service providers such as network providers, hospitality, health sectors and all those involved in insiders’ trading or any form of fraud to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

According to him, their investigations would be so thorough to ensure they have smooth prosecution and gain convictions, saying there would be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and fraud.

Okoro said he would not spare advance fee fraud both local and international ones, saying their actions were embarrassing and damaging the good image of the country.

Continuing, he said hard time now awaits civil servants in government ministries and agencies including politicians who engage in sharp practices, vowing to expose and deal with them accordingly.

Okoro said the Unit would henceforth adopt forensic led investigation to unravel perpetrators of high profile fraud in the country, warning prominent and influential Nigerians who engage, connive or aid fraudulent activities to shun the act or risk exposure and arrest.

The Police Commissioner in his words, said for those who felt they could not be exposed, they should be careful this time around, our activities were going to be forensic led investigation.

Okoro urged service providers such as telecommunications providers, hospitality and health sectors of the economy and all those involved in insider’s trading or any form of fraud or fraudulent practice to desist from this moment or face the full wrath of the law.

He vowed that no culprit will be spared, warning that ” our investigations would be so thorough as to gain conviction “.

The Police Commissioner warned members of the public to stop giving out money to police officers for investigation, saying members of the Public should feel free to lodge any complaint to the police with evidence in their possession without fear of fervour from anyone. “My doors are open to everyone, day and night to receive treat complaints bothering on fraud from members of the public, corporate entities and foreigners alike”. He said the message is in line with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to bring to the barest level, the state of fraud in the country; and also in tandem with the fight against corruption by the present administration, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, which the force has keyed into.