Police Arrest 21 in ₦7.7bn Cybercrime Operation

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) arrested 21 suspects in connection with a cybercrime case that allegedly manipulated MTN Nigeria's billing system, resulting in an estimated loss of ₦7.7 billion. CSP Anieti Iniedu, spokesperson for the NPF's National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC), announced this major breakthrough during a press briefing in Abuja.

The investigation began after MTN Nigeria reported unauthorized access to its billing system, where suspects fraudulently used login credentials to manipulate bill payments. The police recovered 2,931.79 terabytes of stolen data valued at ₦3.8 billion.

The operation also led to the dismantling of an international cyber fraud syndicate based in Asaba, Delta State, where six suspects were arrested for impersonating recognized international figures to defraud foreign victims. Additionally, four suspects linked to a Telegram-based cybercrime network were arrested in collaboration with the Citi London Police, and three suspects were apprehended for operating a fake online investment platform.

The investigation continues to trace cryptocurrency wallets linked to the alleged masterminds.