The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) says it has arrested seven suspects in six separate investigations involving alleged cybercrime, identity theft, investment fraud, romance scams, impersonation and money laundering.
The investigations led to the tracing of more than ₦3.6bn in suspected criminal proceeds, which police said was converted into cryptocurrency and moved through various financial channels.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the NPF-NCCC, Akaninyene Ezima, said the cases demonstrated the growing sophistication of cyber-enabled crime and the increasing use of cryptocurrency and digital platforms to conceal illicit proceeds.
One of the major investigations involved Kelechi Sistus Ihekaire, the proprietor of Kestart Technology, who was arrested in Lagos on 13 August over an alleged international investment fraud and money-laundering operation.
According to the police, victims were allegedly lured through a fraudulent WhatsApp-based investment platform that promised high returns. Investigators said victims transferred a combined ₦56.29m before being prevented from withdrawing their money.
A reconstruction of Kestart Technology’s account with Save Heaven Microfinance Bank between October 2025 and May 2026 allegedly showed transactions worth approximately ₦3.62bn.
Police said the funds were subsequently converted into Tether (USDT) through Bybit peer-to-peer transactions, making it more difficult for investigators to trace and recover the proceeds.
Mr Ihekaire reportedly admitted owning Kestart Technology and engaging in peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading on Bybit.
More suspects arrested
Another suspect, David Adeyemi Temitope, was arrested in Lagos under an investigation codenamed Operation Broken Mask.
Police said forensic examination of devices recovered from his residence uncovered more than 12.5 million victim email records involving individuals across more than 50 countries.
Investigators allege that Temitope used phishing kits obtained through Telegram to compromise Microsoft 365 credentials belonging to employees of targeted companies.
Police also said his bank verification number was linked to accounts across six financial institutions and fintech platforms. A Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43, allegedly purchased with proceeds from the operation, was also recovered.
In Anambra State, Emeka Egba Anthony, 28, and Ogboji Solomon Emeka, 29, were arrested over alleged identity theft and the use and distribution of pre-registered SIM cards.
Police said dozens of registered and unregistered MTN and Airtel SIM cards were recovered during the investigation.
Another suspect, Abdulwajeed Abdullahi, was arrested in Kano over allegations of romance scams, sextortion and blackmail.
Investigators alleged that Abdullahi operated an online identity known as “Captain Junaid” and used the persona to establish relationships with women before allegedly demanding money and threatening to release their intimate photographs and videos.
Police said forensic examination of devices recovered from him revealed intimate materials belonging to several women, as well as forged academic certificates and identity documents bearing his photograph under different names.
Police uncover alleged property fraud
The NPF-NCCC also arrested Paulsurplus Yohanna, a former employee of a foreign national resident in Abuja, over the alleged theft and attempted sale of land documents belonging to his former employer.
Police alleged that Yohanna forged property documents, sold one of his former employer’s properties and disposed of a Toyota RAV4 for ₦25m.
Investigators said efforts were ongoing to trace the proceeds and recover other properties and documents allegedly linked to the case.
The seventh suspect, Babatunde Olamilekan Idowu, also known as “CSP Bamiseye”, was arrested in Ekiti State for allegedly impersonating a senior police officer and defrauding a victim of ₦17m.
Police said members of the alleged syndicate also posed as the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The NPF-NCCC said investigations into the cases are continuing, while suspects against whom prima facie cases have been established are expected to face prosecution.
AIG Ezima urged Nigerians to exercise caution when dealing with strangers online, particularly individuals seeking romantic relationships or promoting investment opportunities with unusually high returns.
He also warned cybercriminals that the use of cryptocurrency, encrypted platforms and false identities would not prevent law-enforcement agencies from tracing their activities.
The police said it was strengthening its capacity in digital forensics, open-source intelligence, financial investigations and cryptocurrency tracing, while expanding collaboration with local and international law-enforcement agencies.
The latest arrests form part of the Police Force’s broader effort to target not only cybercrime suspects but also the financial networks used to move, conceal and convert suspected criminal proceeds.
