In a decisive move to sustain the ongoing crackdown on illegal revenue activities across the state, a new syndicate of illegal revenue collectors was uncovered and apprehended this afternoon along Okigwe Road, Owerri.
The operation, meticulously coordinated and executed by the Imo State Inland Revenue Service (IIRS) in collaboration with the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, led to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in a highly organized and sophisticated scheme. The suspects had been operating for some time, extorting unsuspecting members of the public under false pretenses and in violation of state revenue laws.
During the operation, authorities recovered a large cache of forged and illegal materials, used to deceive and defraud residents and businesses. Items recovered from the culprits include:
Fake Court affidavits
Fake Certificate of Ownership documents
Fake Imo State revenue receipts.
Fake Custom papers for plate numbers.
Multiple fake plate numbers
Fake Biometric equipment for revenue collection (POS).
Fake police reports in their hundreds.
Forged vehicle plate numbers
Multiple Point of Sale (POS) machines
Fraudulent revenue documentation materials
And account numbers for which they receive revenue illegally on behalf of the state government such as
Account number: 0020115455
Account name: Mrs Nzekwu Chinasaokwu Maria
Access Bank
5754430106
Monie point
John uchechukwu Charles
and so many others as reported by Newsmen.
These tools and documents were being used to issue counterfeit revenue receipts, pose as authorized government agents, and operate illegally established roadside collection points. The scale and precision of their forgery indicate a well-financed and technologically equipped criminal network, one that has now been successfully dismantled.
According to a spokesperson from the Imo State Inland Revenue Service (IIRS), the suspects devised a complex method of deception, targeting motorists, traders, and small business owners with threats, forged documents, and false claims of authority.
“They have been operating illegally, issuing fake tickets and extorting the public under the guise of official government duties. Fortunately, our surveillance teams tracked them and intercepted their operations before more harm could be done,” the spokesperson stated.
The apprehended individuals have been handed over to the police and are now in custody for proper investigation and prosecution under the relevant laws of the state. The Imo State Government has vowed to ensure that justice is served and that the full weight of the law is brought upon the offenders.
This arrest marks yet another significant milestone in the state government’s aggressive and sustained efforts to sanitize the revenue collection system and to restore public trust in official revenue mechanisms.
The Uzodimma-led administration has repeatedly emphasized zero tolerance for illegal revenue syndicates, and continues to urge citizens and businesses to remain vigilant. The public is advised to report suspicious revenue collection activity, and to take note that the Imo State Government operates under a Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, which enables direct paym toent of all government revenues into official state accounts.
This development is a strong reminder that the fight against illegal revenue collection continues, and that the government remains committed to protecting the economic rights of the people and upholding the integrity of public revenue systems. This is commendable.
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