The Nigerian Army has arrested a serving soldier, Staff Sergeant Amoke Simon, for allegedly defrauding victims of about N114 million through multiple scams, including false claims about his role in high-risk military operations.
Simon, of the Army Engineers Corps in Lagos, was apprehended at Port Harcourt International Airport by joint teams from 14 Brigade and 6 Division Provost Groups while attempting to flee to Abuja.
Authorities say he falsely presented himself as a key participant in the December 2010 forest operation that neutralized notorious kidnap kingpin Obioma Nwankwo, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered arms and ammunition. Official records and testimonies from officers involved, including then-Major Timothy Oparon and Brig.-Gen. Andrew Audu, confirmed he played no role in the mission.
He also falsely claimed to have been wounded fighting Boko Haram in Maiduguri, despite never being deployed under Operation HADIN KAI.
Investigations further linked Simon to other scams:
Defrauding a company of about N100 million
Obtaining N6 million from an individual under false pretenses
Swindling a group of roughly N8 million
Reports indicate his fraudulent activity increased after a motorcycle accident in Lagos, which he used to solicit funds by posing as an injured military hero.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously flagged Simon for similar offenses. He is now being transferred to Lagos for completion of investigations and appropriate disciplinary action.
This case is classified as a social engineering and impersonation scam, specifically military hero impersonation fraud, rather than a government impersonation scam in the traditional sense.
