The Bayelsa State Police Command has apprehended Ogechi Okechukwu, a woman, and a doctor from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals through a fake surgery fundraising scheme on social media.

Police reports indicate that Okechukwu and the doctor collaborated to deceive people on Facebook, falsely claiming she needed financial help for a critical surgery. To make the appeal seem credible, the doctor allegedly provided forged medical reports, fake drug prescriptions, and staged medical procedures, including a fabricated intravenous drip, a falsified blood transfusion, and counterfeit scan results.

Among those deceived was Facebook influencer Iwaoma Susan Joseph, who unwittingly helped raise ₦800,000 from generous donors, believing the appeal was genuine.

The fraudulent scheme was exposed when police uncovered incriminating conversations between Okechukwu and the doctor on her phone. Both suspects have been arrested and are in detention as investigations continue.

Authorities have warned the public to be cautious of online fundraising appeals and to verify claims before donating.