The Nigeria Police Force has successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate that specialized in using WhatsApp to defraud high-profile Nigerians, including public office holders, senior government officials, and prominent businesspersons.
The arrest follows weeks of coordinated intelligence gathering by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja. Acting on credible intelligence, the Police Cybercrime Unit tracked down members of the syndicate to multiple locations across the country, culminating in their arrest and the seizure of several digital devices used in the commission of the crimes.
The suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending the conclusion of investigations, allegedly created cloned WhatsApp accounts using the names and photographs of influential Nigerians. These fraudulent accounts were then used to solicit money and sensitive information from unsuspecting associates, aides, and associates of the victims.
According to police authorities, the operation was meticulous and involved hacking techniques, SIM card manipulation, and illegal access to personal data. The syndicate operated in cells, each responsible for various aspects of the fraudulent scheme, including data harvesting, impersonation, extortion, and money laundering.
Speaking on the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting citizens from digital threats. He reiterated the Force’s resolve to clamp down on all forms of cybercrime and bring perpetrators to justice.
“This arrest is a major breakthrough in our fight against cyber-enabled fraud. These criminals have exploited digital platforms to target our leaders and institutions, but the Nigeria Police is stepping up its cyber policing capacity to ensure that no one is beyond the reach of the law,” the IGP said.
Recovered items from the suspects include multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, forged identity documents, and hard drives containing databases of potential targets.
The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. Meanwhile, the Force has urged Nigerians, especially public figures and their associates, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious digital communications to law enforcement agencies.
The police also advised the public to activate two-step verification on all social media platforms and to regularly update passwords to guard against cyber intrusions.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to securing the digital space and ensuring that cyberspace is not turned into a breeding ground for criminal enterprises. Further updates will be communicated in due course.