....recovered N8.82billion, $115,237; restitute $84,000 to victims
The Nigerian Police Cybercrime Centre dismantled a total number 5,049 malicious domains and networks and major cybercrime syndicates operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders in 2024
This is just as the centre secured 14 convictions, and recovered the sum of N8,821,001,881.80 (Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Million, One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, Eighty Kobo), 115, 237.91 USD and $84,000 (Eighty-Four Thousand Dollars) which has been restitution to the victims.
Operatives of the centre operationally referred to as Cyber hawks arrested and prosecuted over 751 suspects for cybercrime threats.
During investigations, operatives recovered 685 devices comprised of 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops/computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 starlink devices used by cyber criminals.
Consequently, 16 Houses, 39 Plots of Land and 14 Land Documents alongside 26 vehicles were confiscated.
508 cybercrime cases were reported with sextortion, and cyberstalking
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi while making this known alongside the Director of the Police National Cybercrime Centre, CP Ifeanyi Henry Uche also disclosed that the International Police Organization INTERPOL awarded NPF-NCCC as the Best Cybercrime Unit in Africa:
"INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate, Singapore after a competitive performance assessment and cyber surg Operation code named “Operation Serengeti” saw the Center took the overall first position among 54 participating African Countries.
Speaking on the arrest of suspects involved in identity theft, business email compromise and money laundering, the Force PRO said, "Following an intelligence-led investigation into the activities of a cybercrime syndicate operating on the dark web, on the 20th of December 2024, operatives of the NPF-NCCC apprehended a key suspect identified as Douglass Victor, in connection with crimes.
"The syndicate, led by one Diepreye Samuel specializes in compromising business emails to defraud companies and divert funds for personal use, targeting prominent companies globally to perpetrate their crimes.
"During interrogation, the suspect confessed to customers’ email addresses and passwords, compromising business conversations, and diverting funds to their syndicate.
"Thousands of compromised email credentials and login details were recovered from his Skype account.
"The suspect further disclosed that the syndicate operates internationally, with members located across the globe.
"Communication and transactions among the members are conducted exclusively through Skype, making their operations highly elusive.
"Efforts are currently in top gear to track and apprehend the head of the syndicate and other members who remain at large.
"The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to combating cybercrime, dominating the cyberspace and ensuring that all perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
"The public is urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly.
Similarly, Operative of the NPF- NCCC arrested one Egbo Efe Martins, form Ughelli South, Delta State, 26 years old, for facilitating cybercrime by fraudulently opening and renting bank accounts used by cybercriminals to receive funds from a WhatsApp hacking syndicate.
Egbo used his girlfriend’s personal information to open multiple accounts with a large digital bank in Nigeria and rented them to cybercriminals.
"The cyber criminals hack WhatsApp accounts belonging to prominent Nigerians, including Senators and Ministers, to solicit funds from their contacts under false pretences.
"Upon investigation, Egbo admitted knowing the accounts would be used for fraud but claimed he believed the victims were foreigners, despite receiving all payments in Naira.
"He takes his cut of the proceeds before transferring the rest to his clients.
"Egbo has been charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Impersonation, and Computer-Related Fraud, contrary to Sections 27(1), 22(2), and 14(2) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 as amended.
"Efforts are on top gear to locate and apprehend ever members of the WhatsApp hacking syndicate
Regarding a case of computer related fraud and hacking of WhatsApp, the FPRO said three suspects, Chinedu Godswill Israel 20 Yrs, Lucky Adesunloye 34 Yrs, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody 27 Yrs are in Police net
Adejobi said, "On Tuesday 4th June, 2024 at about 12:49 pm the Center received a petition from one Mallam Yasir Hassan Isah stating that he was contacted on his Whatsapp by one of his old time friend and business associate requesting him to send some amount of money.
"He then went ahead to do so without calling for confirmation. But after he had sent the sum of twenty-four million naira (N24,000,000.00k) in tranche, and more demand to send more money were coming, he then called his friend to confirm why such demands were made but his calls were not answered until the second day being 5th June 2024.
"It was then he got to know that the WhatsApp of his friend had been hacked.
"Upon receipt of the petition, the center began investigation which led to the arrest of the above listed suspects.
"The suspects upon their arrest have confessed to their roles in perpetrating the crime and efforts are ongoing to recover the money fraudulently obtained.
Furthermore, the Force PRO disclosed that in 2024 "the Centre spearheaded a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness campaign, through workshops, seminars, and digital platforms, focussing on educating the public about online safety practices and the importance of reporting cyber threats
"The Centre successfully conducted and participated in several advanced training programs both locally and abroad to equip the personnel with cutting-edge skills and knowledge to tackle sophisticated cyber threats.
"Strategic partnerships with tech companies and financial institutions were fortified, facilitating streamlined information sharing and collaborative response to cyber threats.
"These alliances have resulted in a significant reduction in cyber incidents.
The Centre strengthened international partnerships by collaborating with INTERPOL, the FBI, British national crime Agency (NCA), Japan National Police Agency, French Gendarmerie, EU Council on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) and various global cybersecurity organizations to enhance cross-border cooperation.
"This collaboration has facilitated intelligence sharing and the joint action on transnational cybercrime cases."
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