The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested seven suspects linked to an online investment scam centre operating in Agbor, Delta State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the arrests followed an investigation conducted with support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and insights provided by Meta.
According to him, the suspects arrested are Collins Ogwuorie, Christian Ogwuorie, Gbenoba Emmanuel, Samuel Olufemi, Collins Victor, Onyeka Emenem and Kefas Ogunbor.
He said the suspects allegedly operated an online fraud network that used fake social media accounts to impersonate reputable cryptocurrency traders and defraud victims who engaged with what appeared to be legitimate investment platforms.
He said the leaders of the network recruited and trained young individuals in retirement investment fraud and phishing techniques, targeting victims in the United States of America, based in the United Kingdom, as well as UK residents.
Hundeyin said, “The investigation revealed the activities of an online investment scam centre operating in Agbor, Delta State.
The suspects utilised fake social media accounts to impersonate reputable cryptocurrency traders, targeting unsuspecting individuals who interact with legitimate investment platforms.
“The leaders of this network expanded operations by recruiting and training young individuals in retirement investment fraud techniques and distribution of phishing attacks targeting victims from the United States of America based in the United Kingdom, along with U.K. residents.”
Hundeyin further said investigations identified Collins Ogwuorie as the leader of the syndicate, adding that he allegedly procured about 500 social media accounts from online vendors and distributed them among recruits for coordinated spamming, impersonation and engagement with victims.
He noted that members of the group were assigned roles such as account management, online engagement and mass spamming.
“The suspects, including his brother Christian Ogwuorie, were assigned various operational roles, including account management, online engagement, and mass spamming.
“The syndicate also operated a fraudulent Facebook group titled ‘RETIREMENT STRATEGIES: REAL ESTATE AND MARKET INSIGHTS’, where fabricated testimonials were posted to lure victims into making financial investments, ” he added.
Hundeyin said items recovered during the operation include 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards and one laptop, all suspected to have been used in carrying out the alleged crimes.
“However, investigations are still ongoing as members of the public are advised to exercise caution when engaging in online investment opportunities and to verify the authenticity of platforms before committing funds”, he added.
Reacting to the arrests, Meta said it welcomed the partnership with the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and the UK National Crime Agency.
“We welcomed the partnership with the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and the UK National Crime Agency to identify and disrupt this scam centre, based on insight and signals shared by Meta,” said the Head of Safety Policy for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at Meta, Sylvia Musalagani.
She said the takedown showed the impact of cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement.
Similarly, a representative of the UK National Crime Agency, Matt Moutain said the arrests were part of its ongoing collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
“The NCA and the British High Commission welcome these arrests in our ongoing partnership with the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre,” Moutain said.
He added that the collaboration was strengthened by the UK-Nigeria Fraud Memorandum of Understanding signed last year and reiterated the agency’s commitment to working with Nigerian law enforcement to tackle fraud and deny criminals haven.
Online investment scams have increased in recent years, often using fake social media profiles to impersonate legitimate traders and lure victims.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre works with international partners, including the UK National Crime Agency and technology companies, to investigate and disrupt transnational cyber fraud networks.
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