Authorities in Abuja say a suspected fraud scheme targeting parents has exposed gaps in document verification after a man allegedly posed as a member of the National Youth Service Corps to run a fake scholarship programme.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the Federal Capital Territory presented the suspect to journalists on Thursday, identifying him as 27-year-old Joseph Nanmwa Philips from Plateau State, who investigators say forged NYSC documents to secure placement at a school in Kwali, Abuja.

FCT Commandant Dr. Olusola Odumosu said the suspect was arrested by officers of the Kwali Division following complaints of impersonation, forgery and cyber-related offences linked to a scheme that allegedly targeted parents seeking international academic opportunities for their children.

According to the command, investigators discovered that the suspect allegedly cloned several email addresses associated with University of Cambridge and used them to convince parents their children had been shortlisted for an international scholarship programme.

Officials say the suspect then collected money from the parents under the pretext of registering candidates, organising extra lessons and providing recommended study materials needed for the supposed examinations.

Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that about ₦1.3 million may have been collected from victims, while items recovered from the suspect include a forged NYSC call-up letter, an NYSC uniform and documents detailing financial transactions with parents.

The command said the suspect remains in custody after failing to meet bail conditions and has been remanded by a magistrate court pending further investigation, while authorities are urging schools and institutions to strengthen verification processes to prevent impersonators from exploiting the national service system.