February 6, 2025 – Abuja-In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested 82 suspects in January 2025 for their involvement in various financial and cyber-related offenses.
These crimes include internet fraud, romance scams, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud, and transnational fraud, among others.
The arrests were made through the efforts of the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC), a specialized unit under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM.
The operation underscores the NPF’s commitment to addressing cybercrime and financial fraud while working to restore Nigeria’s reputation globally.
This is part of the Force’s broader strategy to remove the country from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, which highlights jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
At a press briefing held today at the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja, the police presented several suspects linked to high-profile fraud schemes targeting individuals and organizations both locally and internationally.
One standout case involves two suspects, Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar, who orchestrated a sophisticated scheme.
Specifically, they used compromised financial accounts to carry out their plan effectively.
To execute their scheme, the suspects created Moniepoint profiles with pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses.
They then distributed these profiles to accomplices across various states for fraudulent Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
Moreover, by illegally obtaining Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and KYC details from unsuspecting individuals, the duo facilitated fraudulent transactions.
Consequently, these transactions amounted to over ₦400 million, significantly impacting the victims involved.
Once the KYC process was completed successfully, the suspects secured the accounts.
They changed the passwords before handing the accounts over to an undisclosed foreign contractor, further obscuring their trail.
Another high-profile case involves Rabiu Aliyu Salisu, also known as Rabo, who engaged in identity theft and computer-related fraud.
Posing as an American citizen named Matthew Ramsey, Salisu defrauded Deborah Woods, an American national, of $597,000.
His activities extended to money laundering, further exacerbating his criminal profile.
In a separate case, authorities arrested Idowu Smart Emmanuel after receiving a petition that accused him of criminal defamation.
Upon investigation, Emmanuel confessed to fabricating allegations, admitting to cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and spreading falsehoods.
Moreover, the Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime effectively.
During the briefing, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, emphasized the dangers of social media abuse.
Such misuse often leads to crimes like fraud, defamation, and cyberstalking.
Adejobi stated, “We will not tolerate the inappropriate use of social media for criminal activities in our society.”
Furthermore, he urged the public to exercise caution during online transactions.
It is vital to verify the legitimacy of operators before engaging in large financial dealings.
The Force also called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities promptly.
The arrests mark a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.
Under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, the NPF is intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates operating within and beyond the country’s borders.
The police remain steadfast in their mission to protect citizens from cyber-related threats while upholding Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.