By Sunday Ani
The National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police (NPF-NCCC) has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of Wilfred Bonse and three other suspects in connection with the reported theft against Patricia Technologies.
Patricia Technologies had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to report an alleged theft following a breach of its crypto-currency trading platform, Patricia, in 2022. The incident led to loss of funds belonging to depositors and subsequent suspension of the platform by Patricia Technologies, to curtail further compromise of the depositors’ funds.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, during a briefing in Abuja last Friday, said the ensuing investigation revealed a far-reaching criminal conspiracy involving the unauthorised modification of computer systems, network data, and the unlawful diversion of funds totalling over N607 million belonging to the petitioner.
“Wilfred Bonse, the key player in the complex cybercrime, arrested with three of his co-conspirators, is a prominent politician and former gubernatorial aspirant in Cross River State in the 2023 general elections. He was found to have masterminded the alleged theft by conspiring with others, through the conversion of crypto-currency wallets.
and diversion of the unauthorised N607 million from Patricia Technologies’ Flutter Wave account to his bank account,” he stated.
According to CEO of Patricia Technologies, Hanu Fejiro, the conclusion of the police investigation and the eventual arrest of one of the perpetrators was a huge respite to the firm, as well as all its stakeholders.
“This is a big relief. We have finally been vindicated as not a few disbelieved us that our platform was hacked in the first place. But, thanks to the diligence of the Nigerian Police and the unwavering commitment of my colleagues. We are delighted that our customers now have more reason to continue to trust us. The dark days are over.
“With this development, Nigerians can now see that we have always been a truthful, fair, and a responsible organisation with the best interest of our customers at heart. We are happy that those who believed us have been vindicated, and those who doubted us have a compelling reason to renew their trust in Patricia Technologies. With our platform relaunched with stronger security and our commitment to Nigerians renewed, we look forward to the new era with great optimism” Fejiro concluded.
Patricia Technologies, on Monday, November 20, started the first phase of repaying depositors that lost money to the breach, and have relaunched it. While the other co-conspirators remain at large, the police have assured the public that comprehensive efforts were underway to ensure that all involved in this criminal conspiracy were brought to justice.