By John Ogunsemore
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two male suspects, Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar, in connection with the creation and distribution of compromised financial accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions amounting to over ₦400 million.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Adejobi said the duo were among 82 suspects apprehended in the month of January 2025 for various financial and cyber related crimes including internet fraud, romance scams, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud, transnational fraud, and several other cyber offences.
He said the force through its National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC), apprehended 32 suspects across the nation in a significant crackdown on cyber-related crimes.
Adejobi paraded some suspects linked to several fraud schemes that have defrauded individuals and organisations within and outside the country.
He said, “Among these cases is the arrest of two individuals, Saidu Adam Usman ‘m’, and Yusuf Umar ‘m’, in connection with the creation and distribution of compromised financial accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions amounting to over ₦400 million.
“The suspects created Moniepoint profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses and then distributed to local accomplices across different states for KYC verification, fraudulently obtaining Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and KYC details from individuals.
“Upon completion of the KYC process, the suspects would change the passwords to secure them for their unknown foreign contractor.”
The force spokesman disclosed that another significant arrest is that of one Rabiu Aliyu Salisu AKA Rabo, involved in identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering.
He said the suspect had fraudulently assumed the identity of an American citizen, presenting himself as Matthew Ramsey, and defrauded one Deborah Woods, an American national, of $597,000.
“Following a filed petition for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and falsehood, the force also secured the arrest of one Idowu Smart Emmanuel, who eventually admitted to his crimes and confessed that his allegations were false.”
Adejobi said these operations highlight the commitment of the force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun to the Action Plan and the zeal of redeeming Nigeria’s reputation and taking the country out of the FATF Grey List.
Adejobi cautioned against the inappropriate use of social media for the perpetration of crimes such as fraud, defamation and cyberstalking.
He said the force remains committed to identifying and curtailing cybercriminals and syndicates, ensuring that those involved in cyber-related crimes face the full weight of the law.
He advised members of the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online transactions and ensure adequate verification of the legitimacy of operators before conducting large financial dealings.