The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended four suspects linked to a sextortion and romance scam. The suspects—Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb—were arrested following reports submitted through the NPF-NCCC E-Reporting portal and intelligence gathered by the Center.
According to a statement from force spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the investigation revealed that the suspects posed as a woman on a dating app, establishing an intimate relationship with a Croatian national.
The victim was misled into sending nude photographs, which the suspects later used to extort him, demanding ransom to prevent the distribution of the images to his family and friends.
Following the intelligence received, NPF-NCCC operatives conducted thorough investigations that led to the suspects’ arrest and the recovery of evidence, including six iPhones, one Techno phone, one Samsung phone, and a Lexus car.
Further inquiries revealed that the suspects had been involved in multiple cybercriminal activities, defrauding victims globally and primarily receiving payments through various gift cards.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
The statement read: “Their continuous chats progressed to Instagram and WhatsApp leading to an intimate relationship. However, the Croatian was deceived into sending nude pictures of himself through the dating app. The suspects subsequently conspired and pressured him to pay ransom or have his pictures sent to his family and friends.
“The operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a due investigation, following the obtained information from the report, which led to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of the following exhibits related to the crime. The recovered exhibits include six iPhones, one Techno phone, one Samsung phone, and a Lexus car.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects have previously engaged in numerous similar cybercriminal activities, both collectively and individually, defrauding and extorting numerous victims globally. The proceeds of these crimes were primarily received through gift cards like iTunes gift cards, steam gift cards etc.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD. NPM. Hereby urges Nigerians to be wary of suspicious online activities of scammers and other cybercriminals, and also sends a strong warning to all individuals and groups involved in all sorts of cybercrime.
“The Nigeria Police Force will not relent in its fight against all sorts of crime and criminality. The IGP further reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dominating Nigerian cyberspace and taking strict action against individuals or groups attempting to compromise national peace and security. The IGP assures Nigerians of his dedication to bolstering national security and tackling all forms of crime in every sector.
“Furthermore, citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities through the e-reporting portal of the NPF-NCCC: nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin to aid in the timely identification and apprehension of cybercriminals.”
