By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq.
Chairman of Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barrister Kingsley Esiso, has appealed to Aspirants under the party, not to part with their hard earned money as yahoo fraudsters capitalises on the ongoing electioneering contests to defraud desperate politicians in the state.
Esiso in a telephone conversation with the Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Communications, Dr Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe on Tuesday, said the unscrupulous criminal elements cloned his mobile phone number with which they sent messages to PDP Aspirants requesting for huge sums of money, so as to be favoured with the party’s tickets at the primaries scheduled to hold from May 7, 2022.
He said the fraudsters phone number is 0703 503 6524, but when checked via True Caller Identification App, Esiso’s name would surface as the registered owner of the phone number.
Esiso further posited that the Advance Dee Fraudsters, otherwise known as 419ners; criminally cloned his phone number and paired it with GSM Number 0703 503 6524 for the purpose of defrauding unsuspecting politicians, and by extension members of the public.
“It is true that my phone number has been cloned by some hardened criminals. The gang’s phone number is 0703 503 6524, which they linked to my identity as owner when checked via True Caller App.
“Several messages where received by some chieftains of our party, PDP, especially Aspirants, demanding huge sums of money as kick back, so as to be favoured with party ticket.
“It is a serious matter and we are on top of it. None of the targeted victims paid a dime to the criminals. We are in perilous times and crime rates soaring.
“I have instructed the State Publicity Secretary of our party to issue a statement to alert the general public and all Aspirants under Delta PDP, to ignore such fraudulent messages. They must never part with a Kobo, because these messages didn’t emanate from me or any member of the party Exco in the state.
“I have said it repeatedly that our party flag bearers shall emerge through a transparent, free, fair and credible primaries across board. I stand by my words and promise to be an unbiased umpire, and to that extent, no aspirant is permitted to part with a penny before, during and after party primaries.
“Our delegates are well guided by the rules and we expect them to vote popular and competent individuals that have the required capacity and the peoples’ support to win elections as PDP candidates across board. Nothing like kick back in this matter. It is forbidden.
“We are working with the Law enforcement agents to apprehend the criminals. Anyone caught shall be prosecuted and made to pay for his or her crimes, to serve as deterrent to others,” Esiso assured.