In response to the rising cyber threats targeting the Banking and Financial sector, as well as unsuspecting members of the public falling prey to High-yield Investment Fraud (HYIF), the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) recently organized a crucial symposium.

The primary objective of this gathering, attended by Compliant and Fraud desk officers from banks nationwide, aimed to promote active cooperation and involvement in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.

According to a statement issued by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the command, in the wake of these concerns, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre swiftly launched a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.

This operation took place from August 16th to 20th, 2023, and was a response to the emergence of a new cyber threat characterized by the creation of cloned banking websites used for high-yield investment scams and money laundering.

The suspects arrested during this operation include Nwaonicha Emeka (30), Osaretin Oghomwen (27), Sunday Aniekan (23), Devine Daniel (19), Ibrahim Abdulaziz (21), Daniel Breba Omamuke (23), Muhammed Azimeye (29), Aniwen Abraham (23), Pasca Obinna (27), and Godwin Chinaza (26).

They are all male residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and have confessed to their varying degrees of involvement in these criminal activities.

They will face legal charges upon the completion of the investigation.

Furthermore, the police are taking steps to inform and support victims of these fraudulent schemes on a global scale.

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The fraudulent online platforms engaged in these activities have been seized.

Members of the global cyber community are strongly advised to maintain vigilance and report platforms promising unrealistically high returns on minimal investments or any other forms of cybercrime through the dedicated e-reporting portal at incb.npf.gov.ng.

Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, NPM, Ph.D., while reaffirming his commitment to making technological advancements a cornerstone in the fight against crime, commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre.

He urged its Director, DCP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to intensify the Centre’s collaboration with other agencies and uphold fundamental human rights while striving to reduce cybercrime and cyber-related crimes in the country to the lowest possible level.