Abuja — After a coordinated effort by the Police National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCC), the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), and intelligence assistance from Meta, the Nigeria Police Force has taken down an international financial fraud center that was operating in Agbor, Delta State.
According to information released by Force Headquarters on Thursday, seven people were taken into custody during the operation on suspicion of scamming victims of internet investment schemes out of millions of dollars in Nigeria, the UK, and other nations.
Speaking about the discovery, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, the Director of the NPF-NCC, and Mr. Matt Mountain, a representative of the UK NCA, stated that an organized internet investment fraud syndicate based in Agbor was discovered through investigations.
Hundeyin said that the suspects targeted gullible victims who interacted with what seemed to be credible investment platforms by using fictitious social media profiles to pose as respectable cryptocurrency traders and investment specialists.
“By recruiting and training young people in retirement investment fraud techniques and phishing attacks, the network’s leaders expanded their operations, targeting victims in the United States of America, UK-based individuals, and other UK residents,” he said.
Collins Ogwuorie, Christian Ogwuorie, Gbenoba Emmanuel, Samuel Olufemi, Collins Victor, Onyeka Emenem, and Kefas Ogunbor were the suspects that were taken into custody.
Collins Ogwuorie, a Nigerian national with a history of internet fraud, was identified as the syndicate’s leader based on preliminary findings. He allegedly purchased over 500 social media profiles from internet suppliers and gave them to recruits for victim interaction, impersonation, and coordinated spamming.
According to Hundeyin, Ogwuorie’s brother Christian and other syndicate members were given particular responsibilities such account management, internet interaction, and mass spamming.
The gang ran a bogus Facebook page called “Retirement Strategies: Real Estate and Market Insights,” where fake testimonies were made to entice victims to make financial investments, according to additional investigations.
Detectives found 26 cell phones, 42 SIM cards, and one laptop during the operation; all of these items are thought to have been used in the illicit activity.
In addition to advising people to be cautious when participating in online investment opportunities and to confirm the legitimacy of platforms before making financial commitments, the police stated that investigations were ongoing.
The Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to fighting cybercrime and shielding civilians from online financial exploitation was reaffirmed by Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who praised the NPF-NCC and its Director for the successful operation.
In response to the news, Meta expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the UK NCA and the Nigerian Police Force in locating and shutting down the fraud center.
“Organized crime syndicates that are always changing to avoid detection are the main cause of the rise in scams on the internet. “This takedown highlights the value of a whole-of-society approach and the impact of collaboration,” said Sylvia Musalagani, Head of Safety Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at Meta.
In order to identify new risks, disrupt criminal networks, and shield people from online financial abuse, she continued, Meta is still dedicated to collaborating with law enforcement.
In his remarks, CP Uche reaffirmed the Cybercrime Center’s commitment to continue disrupting cyber fraud networks and protecting people’s and organizations’ interests, under the strategic direction of the Inspector-General of Police.
In a similar vein, Mr. Matt Mountain of the UK National Crime Agency praised the Nigeria Police Force for its persistent efforts to combat cybercrime and promised to continue working together to combat cyberfraud and associated offenses.
