The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) yesterday distanced itself from fraudulent jobs and contract scams in Bayelsa State.
The National Chairman, HOSTCOM, Chief Style Benjamin, said in Yenagoa, the capital, that scammers were using the name of HOSTCOM to defraud unsuspecting victims in Niger Delta.
Benjamin said the group’s findings showed that about 3,000 victims lost N70,000 each, to such fraudster operating in the creeks.
He said HOSTCOM’s efforts led to the arrest and prosecution of three persons for allegedly obtaining money from people under false pretences.
Benjamin said the scammers posed as representatives of HOSTCOM, promising their victims of facilitating training and giving them pipeline security surveillance jobs.
Benjamin said: “Mr Ikiobofa Amasamana, Timila Arthure and Osain James, all males, are currently being prosecuted for allegedly using the platform of HOSTCOM to obtain money from people.
“These set of persons have been collecting money and defrauding people in Bayelsa State for non-existent oil pipeline security surveillance contract jobs.
“Each Bayelsa victim caught in the web of the fraud claimed they paid between N68,000 and N70,000 and they run into thousands of people from oil communities.
“They were told that they would be given a pipeline surveillance security job paying N350,000 monthly.
“During investigation, the imposters were asked to present original certificates of company incorporation and the certificate of incorporation of HOSTCOM, which they could not present.
“They said they were collecting the money in anticipation. They said they would train and give them jobs any time the government gives them the contract.
“In Bayelsa alone, about 3,000 persons have paid and they are going out sewing paramilitary uniforms for their victims and using the same to lure more unsuspecting people in the rural areas.”