The Nigeria Police Force, through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has successfully dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud syndicate that operated via WhatsApp, hijacking accounts of high-profile individuals to defraud their contacts.
The operation followed a formal complaint lodged on April 14, 2025, prompting swift action by the NPF-NCCC cyber intelligence team. Investigations revealed that the syndicate employed mobile platform compromise and social engineering tactics to gain unauthorised access to victims’ WhatsApp accounts, using them to solicit funds and personal information from unsuspecting contacts.
Authorities traced fraudulent financial transactions linked to the group across multiple Nigerian banks and subsequently froze illicit funds amounting to millions of naira.
One of the key suspects, identified as Onajite Okoro, was apprehended in Warri, Delta State. He admitted to working alongside an accomplice known as “Chief Mallam Zaki”, whom he had met on Facebook.
According to police reports, Okoro confessed to registering SIM cards, linking them to multiple bank accounts, and facilitating the movement of stolen funds. Forensic analysis of his devices and financial records provided substantial evidence of his involvement in the fraud.
Other members of the syndicate remain at large, with efforts ongoing to track and apprehend them.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, stressed the Force’s zero-tolerance approach to cybercrime, assuring Nigerians that all individuals involved in the fraudulent operation would face justice.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety of our digital space and will continue working with financial institutions and relevant stakeholders to bring cybercriminals to justice,” Egbetokun stated.
In light of the recent crackdown, the Police issued an advisory urging Nigerians to enhance their digital security measures. They recommended the adoption of multi-factor authentication and increased vigilance against suspicious communications, even from seemingly familiar contacts.
The NPF-NCCC reaffirmed its dedication to curbing cybercrime and safeguarding citizens against the growing threat of digital fraud.
