The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested several suspects in separate investigations involving alleged cyber-enabled crimes, including an investment fraud case involving suspected proceeds of about N3.62 billion.
The cases also cover alleged romance scams, sextortion, business email compromise, identity theft, impersonation and the alleged theft of property belonging to a former employer.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the NPF-NCCC, AIG Akaninyene Ezima, disclosed the arrests on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
N3.62bn Investment Fraud Case
Ezima said the investment fraud investigation began after victims reported losing N56.29 million after allegedly being lured into a WhatsApp-based stock trading platform with promises of high returns.
According to him, operatives arrested Kelechi Sistus Ihekaire, proprietor of Kestart Technology, in Lagos on August 13.
The police said forensic analysis of devices recovered from the suspect uncovered digital records allegedly connected to the operation.
Investigators also alleged that about N3.62 billion in suspected proceeds of crime had been converted into Tether (USDT) through Bybit peer-to-peer transactions.
The police said legal steps would be taken to recover funds and cryptocurrency assets linked to the case, where applicable, for possible restitution to victims.
Suspect Arrested Over Romance Scam
The NPF-NCCC also arrested Abdulwajeed Abdullahi, who allegedly operated online as “Captain Junaid”, over an alleged romance scam and sextortion case.
Ezima said the suspect allegedly met a woman on TikTok before moving their conversations to WhatsApp and developing a romantic relationship with her.
The police alleged that he later obtained intimate images and videos from the woman before demanding $3,000, allegedly threatening to release the materials if she refused to pay.
Investigators said another victim reportedly lost N3.5 million to the same identity, while a woman from Bauchi allegedly paid $1,500 under a purported foreign exchange trading arrangement.
Forensic examination of recovered devices allegedly revealed intimate materials belonging to multiple women, alongside forged academic certificates and identity cards.
BEC Suspect Linked to Victims in Over 50 Countries
Another suspect, David Adeyemi Temitope, was arrested in Lagos over an alleged sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) operation.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested at his residence in Lekki on July 20 following an investigation involving foreign law enforcement agencies.
Forensic examination allegedly uncovered email records connected to victims in more than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, India and France.
Police said his BVN was linked to accounts across six banks and fintech platforms, while a Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime was also recovered.
Ezima said the suspect allegedly made more than N100 million from the operation and used phishing tools obtained through Telegram to compromise Microsoft 365 credentials.
More Suspects Arrested
The police also arrested Emeka Egba Anthony and Ogboji Solomon Emeka in Anambra State over alleged identity theft, impersonation and computer-related fraud.
Several registered and unregistered MTN and Airtel SIM cards were reportedly recovered during the operation.
Another suspect, Babatunde Olamilekan Idowu, popularly known as “CSP Bamiseye”, was arrested in Ekiti State for allegedly impersonating a serving Commissioner of Police.
Police alleged that members of the syndicate posed as senior police and government officials and defrauded a victim of N17 million.
The NPF-NCCC further arrested Paulsurplus Yohanna, 40, over alleged theft and attempted sale of land documents and other property belonging to his former employer.
The police said land documents were recovered from him and alleged that he sold one of the properties and a Toyota RAV4 belonging to his former employer for N25 million.
Police Warnings to Cybercriminals
Ezima warned cybercriminals that the use of cryptocurrency, encrypted platforms and fake identities would not prevent investigators from tracing their activities.
He said the NPF-NCCC was strengthening its technical capacity and international partnerships to identify and prosecute individuals involved in cyber-enabled crimes.
The suspects are expected to face prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act and other applicable laws after investigations are concluded.
Source: Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
