Cyber Hawks cracks down on identity theft syndicates, arrests kingpins

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), popularly known as Cyber Hawks, has apprehended key suspects linked to high-profile cases of identity theft, business email compromise (BEC), computer-related fraud, money laundering, and WhatsApp hacking.

This was disclosed during a briefing held by police spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to him, operatives arrested Douglass Victor on December 20, 2024, a key suspect in a cybercrime syndicate led by Diepreye Samuel, which specializes in compromising business emails to defraud global companies.

“During interrogation, Victor confessed to hacking customers’ email accounts, intercepting business communications, and diverting funds to the syndicate’s accounts.

“Recovered evidence from Victor’s Skype account revealed thousands of compromised email credentials and login details,” Adejobi said.

According to the police, investigators also revealed that the syndicate operates internationally, communicating exclusively via Skype to avoid detection.

He noted that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the syndicate’s leader and other members still at large.

In a related development, 26-year-old Egbo Efe Martins from Ughelli South, Delta State, was arrested for facilitating cybercrime by fraudulently opening and renting bank accounts to cybercriminals.

“Egbo used his girlfriend’s personal information to create multiple accounts with a prominent Nigerian digital bank, which were then rented out to scammers involved in WhatsApp hacking.

“These criminals targeted prominent Nigerians, including senators and ministers, by hacking their WhatsApp accounts to solicit funds from their contacts under false pretenses.

“Egbo admitted to being aware that the accounts were used for fraud, claiming he thought the victims were foreigners, despite receiving payments in Naira,” Adejobi said.

READ ALSO:Police arrest 126 criminal suspects in Akwa Ibom

He also noted that Egbo has been charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Impersonation, and Computer-Related Fraud under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as amended. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

The NPF-NCCC also said it uncovered a WhatsApp hacking scheme after receiving a petition from Mallam Yasir Hassan Isah on June 4, 2024. Isah was defrauded of ₦24 million after receiving messages from a hacked account of a trusted friend.

“Three suspects—Chinedu Godswill Israel (20), Lucky Adesunloye (34), and Ndifreke Joseph Moody (27)—were arrested in connection with the scam.

“The suspects confessed to hacking WhatsApp accounts to impersonate victims and extort money from their contacts. Investigations are ongoing to recover the stolen funds and dismantle the syndicate,” it noted.

The Nigeria Police Force also emphasizes its commitment to cracking down on cybercrime and ensuring perpetrators face justice.