EFCC Probes Enugu Job Scam Alleging ₦8.29m Fraud Against 21 Victims
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a suspected employment scam involving a 45-year-old businesswoman, Stella Ezinne Egotanwa, who is accused of allegedly defrauding 21 people of ₦8,291,200 under the pretext of securing jobs for them at a psychiatric hospital in Enugu.
According to the EFCC, the suspect allegedly collected the money from the victims between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, after promising to facilitate their employment at the Neo Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
Egotanwa was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State on July 30, 2026, following complaints from 16 individuals who alleged that they paid her a total of ₦6,193,000 for the promised jobs, which never materialised.
She was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on August 26, 2026, for further investigation.
During the investigation, five additional petitioners reportedly accused the businesswoman of collecting another ₦2,098,200 after making similar employment promises at the same hospital, bringing the number of alleged victims to 21.
One of the petitioners said the money was paid in good faith because the employment opportunity appeared genuine. The petitioner alleged that the promised job never materialised and that attempts to reach the suspect later became difficult, with calls and messages sometimes going unanswered.
The EFCC further disclosed that investigations indicated the suspect allegedly received payments through multiple accounts belonging to different Point of Sale (POS) agents.
The commission also said Egotanwa was awaiting trial in another similar alleged employment scam. According to the EFCC, she admitted committing the offence during the current investigation.
The suspect is expected to be charged to court after the investigation is concluded. The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
The case serves as a warning to job seekers to verify recruitment opportunities directly with relevant institutions and exercise caution when asked to pay individuals for promised employment.
