In a decisive move against online fraud, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center has apprehended four suspects involved in a sextortion and romance scam targeting foreign nationals.
The arrest was made possible through intelligence gathered from the NPF-NCCC's e-reporting portal, underscores the increasing threat of cybercriminal activities in the country.
The suspects, identified as Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb, were accused of duping a Croatian national through an elaborate online romance scheme. According to the investigation, the trio posed as a woman on a dating app to lure the victim into an intimate online relationship. Over time, the interaction shifted to Instagram and WhatsApp, where the victim was coerced into sharing compromising photos.
Once the suspects had obtained the sensitive images, they threatened to leak the photos to the victim’s family and friends unless a ransom was paid. The distressing experience led the victim to file a report via the NPF-NCCC’s e-reporting portal, which in turn, prompted the investigation and eventual arrest of the fraudsters.
During the operation, law enforcement recovered key exhibits, including six iPhones, one Tecno phone, one Samsung phone, and a Lexus vehicle—all tied to the cybercriminal activities of the suspects. Authorities revealed that the gang had been involved in numerous similar scams, extorting victims around the world. Investigators also discovered that proceeds from their fraudulent schemes were often collected in the form of gift cards, such as iTunes and Steam gift cards, a common tactic used by cybercriminals.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the suspects will be formally charged once investigations are concluded.
Mr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun the Inspector-General of Police cautioned Nigerians and international citizens alike to be vigilant when engaging in online activities. He highlighted the growing prevalence of cyber scams, warning that the Police Force remains fully committed to clamping down on these criminal elements.
"The Nigeria Police Force will not relent in its efforts to fight all forms of crime and criminality, especially cybercrime, which continues to pose a threat to national peace and security,"
Egbetokun said. He reassured the public that the Police would continue to monitor and dominate Nigeria’s cyberspace, taking proactive measures to protect citizens and hold offenders accountable.
Additionally, the Police Boss urged citizens to promptly report any suspicious online activities through the NPF-NCCC e-reporting platform, nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin, which enables faster identification and apprehension of cybercriminals.
The public is reminded to remain cautious when interacting online, as scammers frequently exploit unsuspecting individuals through fraudulent schemes that can lead to financial loss, extortion, or personal data breaches.