International Financial Scam Centre Dismantled in Delta State as Police Arrest Seven Suspects
The Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled an international online investment fraud operation based in Agbor, Delta State, in a coordinated crackdown involving British authorities and a major social media company. This operation marks a significant victory in the fight against cyber-enabled financial crimes targeting victims across multiple continents.
Coordinated International Effort Leads to Major Bust
The police revealed that the operation was executed by the Police National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCC) in partnership with the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), with crucial intelligence support provided by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Seven suspects were apprehended during the raid, which targeted a sophisticated network accused of defrauding victims in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries of millions of dollars through deceptive online investment schemes.
Announcing the arrests, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that investigations uncovered a highly coordinated syndicate that relied heavily on social media deception to perpetrate their crimes. "The leaders of the network expanded their operations by recruiting and training young individuals in retirement investment fraud techniques and phishing attacks, specifically targeting victims in the United States of America, UK-based individuals, and other UK residents," he explained.
Suspects and Modus Operandi Exposed
Police identified the arrested suspects as:
- Collins Ogwuorie
- Christian Ogwuorie
- Gbenoba Emmanuel
- Samuel Olufemi
- Collins Victor
- Onyeka Emenem
- Kefas Ogunbor
Investigators disclosed that the alleged mastermind, Collins Ogwuorie, procured hundreds of social media accounts from online vendors and distributed them to recruits. These accounts were then used for impersonation, mass spamming, and direct engagement with victims, with perpetrators posing as cryptocurrency traders and investment experts to gain trust.
Authorities further revealed that the group operated a fake Facebook community named "Retirement Strategies: Real Estate and Market Insights," where fabricated success stories and testimonials were strategically deployed to lure unsuspecting victims into transferring funds. Items recovered during the operation included:
- 26 mobile phones
- 42 SIM cards
- A laptop believed to have been used to coordinate the scams
Ongoing Investigations and Public Warnings
The Director of the NPF–NCC, Ifeanyi Henry Uche, confirmed that investigations are continuing and that more arrests could follow as digital evidence undergoes thorough analysis. The police have issued a stern advisory to the public, urging citizens to remain extremely cautious about online investment offers and to verify platforms meticulously before committing any funds.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the cybercrime centre for the successful operation, reaffirming the force's unwavering commitment to tackling online financial crimes and protecting citizens from such predatory schemes.
International Collaboration Praised by Partners
Reacting to the takedown, Meta emphasized that collaboration with law enforcement is essential in curbing the proliferation of online scams. Sylvia Musalagani, Meta’s Head of Safety Policy for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye, stated, "Scams are increasing across the internet, driven by organised crime syndicates that constantly evolve to evade detection. This takedown demonstrates the impact of cooperation and the importance of a whole-of-society approach." She assured that the company would continue working closely with security agencies to identify emerging threats and disrupt criminal networks.
Also speaking on the operation, a representative of the UK National Crime Agency, Matt Mountain, commended the Nigerian authorities for their efforts and pledged continued collaboration in combating cyber-enabled fraud, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in addressing transnational crimes.
