Police Collar Fake Doctor After Extorting ₦500,000 From Desperate Mother With Lies of Hospital Jobs for Her Kids in Calabar

A 39-year-old man who allegedly donned a medical persona to prey on job seekers has met his match in Cross River State after police detectives swooped in to end his employment scam.

The suspect, identified as Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, was tracked down and taken into custody by police officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South Local Government Area. His arrest followed an official petition lodged by a heartbroken 45-year-old mother, Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, who revealed how she was tricked into handing over her savings to the fake medical practitioner.

According to police reports, Ekpeme strategically introduced himself to the victim as an influential medical doctor with direct access to recruitment channels at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Capitalizing on the mother’s desire to secure a stable future for her children, the suspect promised to pull strings and land them official hospital jobs. In return for his supposed influence, he extracted a total fee of ₦500,000 from the unsuspecting family.

However, the scam unraveled when the promised job letters failed to materialize, and the suspect began giving evasive excuses. Sensing foul play, the victim alerted law enforcement operatives, who launched a swift crackdown that led to Ekpeme’s arrest. During the raid, detectives recovered several medical tools and related exhibits that the suspect allegedly used to build his convincing facade.

“The suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of ₦500,000 under the pretext of facilitating employment opportunities,” confirmed the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah. “Our operatives have recovered relevant exhibits connected to the case, and the suspect remains in custody. The Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine if this individual has defrauded other innocent citizens or operated with accomplices. Once our findings are concluded, he will face the full weight of the law in court.”

The Police Command used the occasion to warn members of the public to stay vigilant against job racketeers and impersonators claiming to sell government employment slots. Authorities emphasized that public institutions like teaching hospitals follow strict, transparent recruitment guidelines, urging citizens never to pay money to individuals claiming they can bypass official hiring processes.