A woman identified as Ogechi Okechukwu has been arrested in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent medical fundraising scheme in collaboration with a doctor.
Okechukwu reportedly falsely claimed she needed urgent surgery, deceiving social media users into donating thousands of naira. The scam was amplified by popular Facebook influencer Uwaoma Susan Joseph, who unknowingly helped raise funds, believing the appeal to be genuine.
Authorities uncovered incriminating conversations between Okechi and the doctor on her phone, exposing the entire operation as a calculated fraud.
Following her arrest, investigators are digging deeper into the extent of the scam, aiming to track down other possible accomplices and victims.
The case has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians calling for stricter measures against digital fraudsters who exploit people’s goodwill for personal gain.
Meanwhile, Uwaoma Susan Joseph has expressed shock and disappointment, stating that she was misled into supporting the fundraiser.
Okechukwu remains in custody as authorities intensify their investigations.
