The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested two persons suspected for computer-related fraud, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.
The duo – Odia Theophilus, 24 and Ebo Junior Success, 25, who were arrested at their hideout in Benin City, Edo State – ran a syndicate specialised in defrauding unsuspecting victims of foreign countries by assuming the identities of other and luring them with promises of romantic relationships, only to defraud them.
Their arrest was aided by a report on their activities received from the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, Korea, through the Interpol National Central Bureau that, in May, 2021, the suspects approached one Baek Seong-hee, a Korean national, via Kakaotalk, a mobile messaging application used majorly in that country, disguising as a member of the US Armed Forces stationed in Yemen.
The suspect used the pretext of a romantic relationship and defrauded the victim of 259,637,941 Korean Won (KRW) which is equivalent to N91million, when converted from cryptocurrency.
The suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate responsible for these crimes and stated their roles as accomplices who provided bank accounts for fraudsters in furtherance of their nefarious activities.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba lauded the efforts of the head, NPF-NCCC, DCP Uche Henry in ensuring a clampdown on cybercrime related offences.
The IGP similarly extolled the collaboration being enjoyed with other police agencies worldwide via the Interpol NCB platform, stressing its importance in tackling trans-national crimes.
A statement signed by the force’s public Relations officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
