The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested ten cyber criminals in response to the escalating cyber threats aimed at the banking and financial sectors, as well as unsuspecting members of the public falling victim to high-yield investment fraud (HYIF).
Chronicle NG reports that ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, said this on Wednesday in a statement.
In response to the escalating cyber threats aimed at the banking and financial sectors, as well as unsuspecting members of the public falling victim to high-yield investment fraud (HYIF), the Nigeria Police Force-National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) recently convened a crucial symposium.
The main goal of this event, which compliance and fraud desk officers from banks all over Nigeria attended, was to promote active collaboration and engagement in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.
On the heels of the above, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre swiftly initiated a coordinated, intelligence-led operation, leading to the arrest of eight notorious cyber criminals. This operation spanned from August 16th to August 20th, 2023, and was in response to the emergence of a new cyber threat characterized by the creation of cloned banking websites to facilitate high-yield investment scams and money laundering.
The arrested suspects include Nwaonicha Emeka, aged 30, Osaretin Oghomwen, aged 27, Sunday Aniekan, aged 23, Devine Daniel, aged 19, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, aged 21, Daniel Breba Omamuke, aged 23, Muhammed Azimeye, aged 29, Aniwen Abraham, aged 23, Pasca Obinna, aged 27, and Godwin Chinaza, aged 26, all male residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They have all confessed to their various degrees of involvement in these criminal activities and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Efforts are also underway to inform and support victims of these fraudulent schemes on a global scale. Additionally, the fraudulent online platforms involved in these activities have been confiscated. Members of the global cyber community are strongly advised to remain vigilant and report any platforms that promise unrealistically high returns on minimal investments or any other forms of cybercrime through the dedicated e-reporting portal at incb.npf.gov.ng.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, while reaffirming his commitment to making technological advancements a cornerstone of the fight against crime, commended the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre’s efforts and urged its Director, DCP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to intensify the Centre’s collaboration with other agencies and uphold fundamental human rights in the pursuit of reducing cybercrime and cyber-related crimes in the country to the barest minimum.
