In January 2025, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) successfully arrested 32 suspects, while 52 arrests were secured by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, totalling 84 arrested suspects.
These feats have been attributed to the Action Plan and the zeal of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun to redeem the reputation of the country, taking the country out of the FATF Grey List.
At the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre headquarters today, 9 suspects were paraded for various cyber-related offences. Amongst them is Rabiu Aliyu Salisu alias Rabo, 27 years old male, from Kogi State, involved in identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering.
Operatives of the NPF-NCCC, after a well-coordinated intelligence operation and after preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect fraudulently assumed the identity of an American citizen, presenting himself as Matthew Ramsey, with the intent to deceive and exploit unsuspecting victims, primarily vulnerable women in online romance scams. The suspect confessed to defrauding one Deborah Woods, an American national, of $597,000.
A subsequent search of his premises led to the confiscation of multiple electronic gadgets which have passed through forensic analysis used in perpetrating these illicit activities, along with eight (8) BMW vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime. These items are currently in police custody as exhibited while efforts are ongoing to trace and identify other victims.
Other suspects paraded by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi were, Saidu Adam Usman ‘m’, and Yusuf Umar ‘m’, in connection with the creation and distribution of compromised financial accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions amounting to over four hundred million naira ₦400 million.
Investigations revealed that both suspects were recruited via Telegram by an unidentified foreign cybercriminal. Saidu Adam Usman was tasked with creating Moniepoint financial profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses. These profiles were then distributed to local accomplices across different states for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.
Yusuf Umar was responsible for conducting KYC verifications for these compromised accounts, fraudulently obtaining Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and KYC details from individuals within his community and using their identities to upgrade the accounts to Tier 5 verification. Upon completion of the KYC process, Yusuf Umar would hand over the verified accounts to Saidu Adam Usman, who would change the passwords to secure them for their unknown foreign contractor.
Both suspects have confessed to their crimes and further revealed they received payments in cryptocurrency for their services. They are currently facing prosecution at the Federal High Court in Abuja for Computer-Related Fraud, Impersonation, and Criminal Conspiracy in accordance with the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Also the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has successfully apprehended key members of an organized crime syndicate involved in a $4 million fraud targeting international oil trading firms.
The syndicate, allegedly led by Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Eagle Capital Management, and Richrice International Corporation, operates across Nigeria, China, and the United States, specializing in high-level fraud schemes within the global oil and gas industry.
On January 4, 2024, detectives arrested one (Dr.) David Emmanuel Udensik, also known as Dr. Jacob Bello, a Nigerian national from Akwa Ibom State. Udensik is accused of generating fraudulent intelligence reports, forging documents from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and misusing these documents to scam oil traders, resulting in fraudulent proceeds of $610,000.
Following a year-long investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC arrested Engr. Isaac Jerome Oyakhilome, the Managing Director/CEO of Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited and a Director at Richrice International Corporation. Oyakhilome was responsible for preparing and signing fraudulent sales agreements for crude oil with NNPCL, facilitating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that netted $1,151,495 for his company, which has no known physical address. In the course of these arrests, officials recovered several exhibits, including ₦55,000,000 (approximately $33,428.57), assets valued at ₦370,000,000, multiple electronic devices, and a Toyota Camry vehicle, as the suspects have reportedly confessed to their roles in the criminal operation.
Following a filed petition of a cryptocurrency fraud amounting to the sum of eighty-six thousand dollars ($86,000), operatives of the NPF-NCCC began an investigation, leading to the arrest of one Solomon Chidiebere Akunyalam (male, 24 years old).
The investigation further revealed that in April 2024, the suspect, using a foreign phone number, approached the complainant on Binance platform and convinced him for them to continue their conversation on WhatsApp. Under the guise of offering trading lessons with minimal charges, which he agreed. The suspect then instructed the complainant to enable third-party authentication on his mobile device, having sent a phishing link disguised as further activation for subscription of a particular application. The unsuspecting victim clicked and activated the phishing link on his device and his wallet was immediately drained of $86,000.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force conducted a successful raid based on credible intelligence, on a cybercriminal hideout at Ipent 2 Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, on January 31, 2025. During the raid, two suspects, Irhene Efe Wealth (male, 25 years old) and Irhene Godstime (male, 21 years old), both indigenes of Delta State, were apprehended.
Investigations revealed that the duo specialized in stealing Facebook accounts belonging to foreign nationals and subsequently selling them to cyber threat actors who use them to perpetrate various forms of cybercrime. These Facebook accounts are sold depending on the bargaining power. The suspects having confessed to the crime and further investigations are still on going to reveal other members of the syndicate. Those complicit will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
On January 21 2025, operatives of the NPF-NCCC, arrested One Nelson Olamide Bosun M, 26 Yrs, at Lagos state, involved in the computer related fraud, distribution of fraudulent digital tools designed for online document forgery, Fake bank transactions, Cryptocurrency wallet hacking, deep fake live video manipulation, other cyber-enabled fraudulent activities.
Cyber forensic Investigations revealed that Nelson Olamide Bosun, a computer programmer, operates an online platform known as AJEPAKOBUTTY TV, which he uses to sell, promote, and advertise cyber deception tools. His operations are conducted across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Threads, and Snapchat, where he connects with internet fraudsters and supplies them with illicit cyber tools thereby enabling the activities of these cybercriminals.
Operatives of the NPF-NCCC have arrested one Salisu Awal ‘m’, who falsely claimed to be a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, in connection with a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction amounting to the sum of two hundred and thirty-four million Naira N234,000,000. Investigations revealed that the suspect received the said amount from the complainant, Ningbo, a Chinese national, for the purpose of converting it into $1,759,703 and remitting it to his foreign designated account.
However, the funds were transferred to the complainant’s account by Yogibo LLC, a U.S. based company. Further financial analysis indicated that the funds originated from a hacked corporate offshore account, which was strongly suspected to be a form of cyber-enabled fraud.
Upon discovering the fraudulent nature of the transaction, the suspect was required to refund the money to its original source. When contacted, Salisu Awal acknowledged the issue and promised to refund the N234 million but failed to do so for over six months. Following his arrest, the suspect claimed that the transaction was orchestrated by one Ola, a staff member of Fidelity Bank. Investigations into his claims as well as the broader criminal network involved in this fraud is still ongoing.
Following a petition filed by a law firm, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime arrested one Idowu Smart Emmanuel, a native of Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and falsehood against Abdulazeez Adeshina Fashola (A.K.A Naira Marley). Investigations revealed that the suspect, using his Instagram handle @lilsmart, falsely alleged that he was abducted, assaulted, and robbed of $300, further claiming that Naira Marley had bribed all police officers in Lagos and was involved in credit card fraud. The suspect later admitted in writing that these allegations were false and without evidence to prove his claim. On January 28, 2025, he was apprehended at his residence in Megamound Estate, Ajah, Lagos, and the exhibits involved in this crime were recovered.
ACP Adejobi stressed that the Nigeria Police Force cautions against the inappropriate use of social media for the perpetration of crimes such as fraud, defamation and cyberstalking.
The Force remains committed to identifying and curtailing cybercriminals and syndicates, ensuring that those involved in cyber-related crimes face the full weight of the law.
He advised members of the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online transactions and ensure adequate verification of the legitimacy of operators before conducting large financial dealings.