Police nab 9, recover $15,900 in cryptocurrency, others

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested nine suspects in three separate operations targeting alleged online investment fraud, romance scams, identity theft, sextortion and money laundering.

The Director of the NPF-NCCC, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Akaninyene Ezima, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, noting that the operations were conducted in Delta and Lagos states, following intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA); adding that cryptocurrency assets worth $15,900 were recovered in one of the operations.

AIG Ezima disclosed that four suspects – Ojei Divine, Godwin Umerin, Edema Bright and Peter Kpamichukwu Okoh, were arrested in Agbor and Okpanam, Delta state, over alleged online fraud targeting victims in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and other countries.

He said investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly used fake social media identities, fraudulent investment websites and cryptocurrency transactions to defraud victims.

The agency boss said one of the suspects, Divine, allegedly impersonated investment traders and directed victims to websites offering purported foreign exchange, cryptocurrency and oil and gas investment opportunities.

The senior Police officer said analysis of a cryptocurrency wallet linked to the suspect identified 21 approved transactions totalling $21,150. Cryptocurrency assets worth $15,900 were recovered and secured in a custodial wallet.

Umerin allegedly used multiple Facebook accounts in a scheme that defrauded an Indonesian citizen of seven million rupiah.

In the same vein, Bright, a Delta State University student, was accused of sextortion and cryptocurrency fraud as investigators alleged that he impersonated Galaxy Digital Chief Executive Officer, Michael Novogratz, to persuade victims to invest in Bitcoin.

Also, Okoh, a 27-year-old website developer, allegedly admitted developing six websites used by scammers to perpetrate fraud.

Exhibits recovered from the suspect include 36 mobile devices, three routers and other exhibits.

In a separate investigation involving the RCMP and Germany’s BKA, police arrested Uka Chidiebere Gerald, 32, and Kenneth Ufuophu, 30, in Delta state over alleged romance fraud and money laundering network targeting elderly Canadians between 2020 and 2024.

According to Ezima, members of the suspected network allegedly created fake online identities, established romantic relationships with victims and solicited money under the guise of investments, loans and financial assistance.

One victim reportedly transferred more than CA$200,000 after being deceived by a fraudster impersonating a US military physician.

Investigators also linked Gerald to a Binance wallet through which 1,684,441 USDT was laundered AIG Ezima disclosed. 

Ufuophu was linked to another case involving CA$214,000 in cryptocurrency and a CA$3,000 wire transfer. Police said the funds were allegedly moved through suspected money mules and entities across several countries.

He said five victims have been identified, with the documented losses of two victims alone exceeding CA$417,000; even as two mobile phones and two laptops were recovered, while investigations continue to identify other suspects and trace the funds.

In another development, operatives of the centre arrested Adebayo Adewale Basit, Omoregie Christian and Adebayo Ibrahim, in Lekki, Lagos state, on October 14, over alleged identity theft, investment fraud and money laundering.

Ezima said the suspects allegedly operated fake social media accounts to impersonate prominent personalities and trick victims into transferring money.

Basit, 23, allegedly used artificial intelligence voice cloning and deepfake technology to impersonate Tesla CEO Elon Musk across Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, X and other platforms.

The suspects were also linked to an alleged cryptocurrency investment scam promoted through a website identified as Bitcoin Trading Hub.

Items recovered from them include six mobile phones, an iPad, a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, three internet routers, a webcam, a PlayStation 5 console and other electronic devices as well as jewellery, wristwatches and other items.

The Centre’s boss said the digital exhibits were undergoing forensic examination, while the three suspects remained in custody.

Ezima said the cases highlighted the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who exploit digital platforms, cryptocurrency and online relationships to target victims across international borders.

He urged Nigerians to avoid unverified investment platforms promising unrealistic returns and to be wary of online relationships involving repeated financial demands or requests for cryptocurrency transfers and gift cards.

He also called on financial institutions and cryptocurrency service providers to strengthen customer verification and transaction monitoring; just as he warned youths against cybercrime, urging them to use their digital skills for legitimate businesses and innovation.