The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has made a significant breakthrough in its investigation into a complex financial fraud case reported by Patricia Technologies Limited. The case involves criminal conspiracy, unauthorized modification of computer systems, network data, and the unlawful diversion of funds totaling over Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000:00k), as outlined in a petition to the Inspector General of Police.
Addressing journalists, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said conversion of cryptocurrency wallets, and unauthorized fund diversion from Patricia Technologies Limited’s Flutterwave account, the petition specifically identified certain individuals currently at large. However, meticulous efforts in tracking them down have led to the arrest of one Amb Wilfred Bonse.
He said Wilfred Bonse, having admitted his involvement in the intricate crime, conspired in laundering the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000:00k). This amount originated from the fraudulent diversion of Six Hundred and Seven Million Naira (N607,000,000:00k) from Patricia Technologies Limited’s account to his bank account through a cryptocurrency wallet.
Adejobi said While the investigation is ongoing, the Nigeria Police Force assures the public that all individuals implicated in this criminal conspiracy will be brought to justice.
In another development, Adejobi said on November 20, 2023, acting on credible intelligence, the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center conducted a discrete operation and executed a search warrant at Wumba District, Apo Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This operation led to the arrest of Njoku Kingsley, Chigozie Okorie, and Jideofor Sejus, aged 35, 34, and 35, respectively, in connection with a case of Conspiracy, Identity Theft, and Romance Scam.
He said a clinical investigation revealed that the suspects engaged in various schemes, conspiring to impersonate one Anthony James. Using a fake profile, they individually targeted victims and swindled them of their hard-earned resources. The suspects have provided written statements acknowledging their involvement in the criminal conspiracy.
Adejobi said efforts are underway to notify and assist all victims affected by this illegal venture. The Nigeria Police Force urges members of the cyber community to exercise caution in establishing resource-exchanging relationships on social media. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
In a recent investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC uncovered a cryptocurrency-related scheme involving Ummukulthum Basha and the Kochiken Crypto project. Basha, an enthusiastic cryptocurrency participant, suffered a significant loss of 20,000 USDT in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading scheme. Seeking assistance from Sean Andres Delacruz, the CEO of the Kochiken Crypto project, assurances were made to recover the funds through intensive trading with the remaining 180,000 USD.
Subsequent actions raised concerns, leading to the discovery that Sean Andres Delacruz was the mastermind behind the criminal act. Collaborating with KuCoin, a substantial portion of the funds was safely recovered, amounting to 179,372.6 USDT. Efforts to apprehend the suspect are ongoing, with international collaboration playing a crucial role in the investigation.
The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the timely collaboration of KuCoin and urges the public to be cautious of such platforms. It emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious engagements and platforms to the police.
The Nigeria Police Force alerts the public to the proliferation of high-yield investment programs that often turn out to be scams. The public is advised to exercise restraint in patronizing these schemes and remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious financial transactions or activities through the Centre’s e-reporting Portal at https://incb.npf.gov.ng.
