A “sophisticated” cybercrime ring with its headquarters located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been exposed and taken down by the Nigeria Police.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this claim in a statement that Politics Nigeria was able to receive on Wednesday, October 25.
Adejobi claims that six persons were arrested during the operation, and some laptops were taken into custody.
In the statement, it says:
“The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate operating in a cybercrime recruitment and mentoring hub in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking a significant advancement in the fight against cybercrime and cyber-related offences.
A number of intelligence reports that revealed the syndicate’s extensive involvement in a number of cybercrimes, such as Business Email Compromise, Romance Scams, and High Yield Investment Programme Fraud, prompted the start of the investigation and operation.
On September 13, 2023, six (6) suspects were apprehended at their hideout in the Dantata estate area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after a team of Cybercrime Forensic Experts and Investigators was provided with detailed information about the case. The team also recovered several digital gadgets and effects that the suspects had used in their criminal enterprise.
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The suspects—Bernard Joseph, 27, Emmanuel Joseph, 22, Obasi Ikechukwu, 19, Anijiofor Tobechuckwu, 26, Andrew Moses, 19, and Israel Ezekiel, 19—summarily confessed to their varying degrees of involvement in cybercrime, which is punishable by the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and includes identity theft, hacking and trading of hacked Facebook accounts, romance scams, and other computer-related fraud. It is important to note that the investigation is still ongoing and that there are efforts being made to capture the fugitives from this criminal organisation. When the investigation is over, the detained individuals will face charges in court.
“While reiterating the Force’s commitment to combating crime on all fronts, regardless of its dynamics, Inspector General of Police Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, NPM, Ph.D. has instructed the Director, NPF-NCCC, Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to take no breaks in ensuring the safety of individuals and enterprises online.” In addition, he exhorts thinking leaders, parents, wards, and social and religious organisations to forcefully denounce this threat and work in tandem with law enforcement to guarantee a safer online environment for everybody.
The NPF further requests that facility owners, landlords, and landladies disclose any cybercrime recruitment centres and mentorship centres they may have discovered in their neighbourhoods or homes. We must end the conspiracy of silence and bring the bad actors in our society to justice.
We wish to reassure the public that we will never stop working with partners, stakeholders, and other pertinent security authorities to completely eradicate the activities of criminals nationwide, including cybercriminals.
For this reason, the Nigeria Police Force depends on your cooperation and unshakable dedication to combating crime and criminality in the nation.
