Cybercrime: 11 Suspects Arrested in Japan and Nigeria for Identity Theft and Romance Scams; $33,320 Recovered

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the National Police Agency of Japan (NPA), has strengthened collaborative efforts aimed at combating the ever-growing menace of cybercrime,” the statement read.

“In a significant event, a press briefing at the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) highlighted the strength and effectiveness of the ongoing international partnership, focusing on the successful operation that resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects involved in serious crimes such as identity theft, romance scams, and computer-related fraud that targeted Japanese victims from Nigeria.

“On April 3, 2024, the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, working in conjunction with Nigeria’s National Central Bureau and the NCB Tokyo, received reports regarding five cybercrime cases linked to 13 identified threat actors operating from Nigeria.

“The subsequent investigation led to the apprehension of eleven individuals and unveiled an extensive network that exploited social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to lure unsuspecting victims into fraudulent romantic relationships.

“Victims were duped into transferring funds through wire transactions, which were eventually converted into cryptocurrency and funneled to various digital wallets in Nigeria.

“The preliminary stages of the investigation yielded the recovery of $33,320, with ongoing efforts to reclaim additional stolen funds and dismantle the entire syndicate responsible for these crimes.

“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in both the physical and digital space and stands ready to deploy all available resources and leverage emerging technologies to combat cybercrime. The NPF remains steadfast in its resolve to protect our nation and ensure public safety for all.”