A fraud syndicate which specialises in ripping diplomatic missions of foreign currencies was yesterday smashed by the police monitoring unit.

The force public relations officer (FPRO) deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Haz Iwendi who paraded the two suspects at a press conference in Abuja said the duo are believed to be members of a syndicate of Advance Fee Fraudsters.

Iwendi said the suspects were alleged to defraud a staff of the Japanese embassy through internet scam letter but the official quickly reported the matter to the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission Iwendi further explained that the commission contacted the police who immediately commenced investigation and made a number of arrests.

The spokesman said the suspects allegedly forged federal government letter head with reference number FGN/Presidency/2001, SO-XP dated February 2001, FRN/SNC/AD/01-Vol 14 dated spurious demands from the embassy. According to Iwendi the last letter which was dated February 28, 2002 was in respect of long overdue contract payment of $1.6 billion suspecting the letter, Iwendi explained, the embassy reported the case for subsequent investigation.

The search which was committed by the police with the suspects house, Iwendi disclosed, the police recovered NITEL print out page 704-836 of “telephone and Truth Calls Traffic Section details for the month of April 2002.

Other incriminating items recovered, according to Iwendi from the suspect include two driver’s licence Nos. UM 0745 AA and LSD 0250 AA and other documents bearing director NNPC Lagos titled text ‘A’ and Trust Bank Limited dated September 12, 2001.

Other documents included an offer to step into a world of liberties with eight telephone numbers written behind the document.

Iwendi who advised member of the public to be wary of the syndicate said investigation was still continuing.

The leader of the 19 monitoring squad, deputy commissioner of police (DIP) Charles David said the suspects would be arranged in court on Friday.

John-Abba Ogbodo, The Guardian (Nigeria), July 3, 2002