A sophisticated cybercrime syndicate operating a recruitment and mentoring hub has been dismantled in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The illegal hub was pulled down by the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed.
According to Adejobi, the operation led to the arrest of at least six suspects.
Furthermore, the Force spokesman identified the suspects as Bernard Joseph, 27, Emmanuel Joseph, 22, Obasi Ikechukwu, 19, Anijiofor Tobechuckwu, 26, Andrew Moses, 19, and Israel Ezekiel, 19.
He said the operation was initiated in response to a series of intelligence reports that indicated a deep involvement of the syndicate in various cybercrimes, including business email compromise, romance scams, and high-yield investment programme fraud in the territory.
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The police image maker noted that upon receiving the intelligence, a team of cybercrime forensic experts and investigators were detailed on the case leading to the arrest of the suspects at their hideout in the Dantata Estate area of the capital city.
Adejobi revealed that several digital gadgets and effects used in perpetrating their criminal enterprise were recovered by the security operatives.
“The suspects, namely Bernard Joseph, 27, Emmanuel Joseph, 22, Obasi Ikechukwu, 19, Anijiofor Tobechuckwu, 26, Andrew Moses, 19, and Israel Ezekiel, 19, summarily confessed to their various degrees of involvement in cybercrimes, including identity theft, hacking and trading of hacked Facebook accounts, romance scams, and computer-related forgery.
“A pertinent investigation is ongoing, and efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of this criminal network are underway. Meanwhile, the arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement added.
In addition, Adejobi urged residents to stay at alert and report unusual things happening around them to the appropriate channel in order to fully secure the nation from criminal elements.