The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a sophisticated online investment scam network operating in Agbor, Delta State, arresting seven suspects during a coordinated operation led by the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC).
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and with intelligence support from Meta.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the syndicate specialised in online investment fraud and phishing schemes targeting foreign victims, particularly residents of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Hundeyin explained that the suspects used fake social media profiles to impersonate reputable cryptocurrency traders and investment experts, luring unsuspecting victims who interacted with legitimate online investment platforms.
According to him, the leaders of the network recruited and trained young Nigerians in retirement investment fraud while coordinating phishing attacks across multiple platforms.
The suspects arrested were identified as Collins Ogwuorie, Christian Ogwuorie, Gbenoba Emmanuel, Samuel Olufemi, Collins Victor, Onyeka Emenem and Kefas Ogunbor.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was led by Collins Ogwuorie, who procured about 500 social media accounts from online vendors and distributed them among recruits for coordinated spamming, impersonation and victim engagement,” Hundeyin said.
He added that members of the network were assigned specific operational roles, including account management, online engagement and mass spamming.
The syndicate also operated a fraudulent Facebook page titled ‘Retirement Strategies: Real Estate and Market Insights’, where fabricated testimonials were used to entice victims into investing funds.
During the raid, detectives recovered 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards and one laptop, all believed to have been used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
Hundeyin noted that investigations were ongoing and that further arrests may follow.
He advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in online investment opportunities and to verify the authenticity of platforms before committing funds.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the NPF-NCC and its Director, CP Uche Ifeanyi, for the successful operation, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting citizens from online financial exploitation, stressing that international collaboration remains vital to disrupting transnational criminal networks.
Linus Aneke
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