The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos State has successfully apprehended two individuals associated with a syndicate responsible for hacking more than 1000 bank accounts in Nigeria. The spokesperson for the command, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday. The suspects, who specialized in hacking local banks, were captured at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, following a petition filed by the United Bank for Africa.
Idris-Adamu identified the suspects as Yusuf Ademola, aged 40, and Adesina Abiodun, aged 50. The authorities are currently working diligently to apprehend other accomplices connected to this criminal operation.
According to the statement, the United Bank for Africa submitted a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police on May 8, 2023, reporting the existence of a syndicate involved in internet fraud targeting various banks, particularly the United Bank for Africa. The criminals hacked into customers’ accounts and illicitly transferred their funds. In response to the petition, the Assistant Inspector General of Police formed a team of detectives from the Zonal Monitoring Unit, who swiftly initiated an investigation using advanced technology. Consequently, two suspects, Yusuf Ademola, and Adesina Abiodun, were located at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to their involvement in the crimes, revealing the existence of numerous syndicates operating throughout Nigeria. They confessed to using software to hack into customers’ accounts and transfer money undetected from any bank of their choice. However, the fraudsters’ primary modus operandi involves having access to a customer’s BVN-linked phone number and bank alerts, which enables them to effortlessly carry out fraudulent transactions.
Idris-Adamu disclosed that more than 1000 customer accounts across the country had been hacked and defrauded. Further investigation into the matter uncovered the fact that syndicate members were recruited from different regions of Nigeria. The police are diligently working to arrest all individuals involved in this criminal activity.
“The investigation is still in progress, and once completed, the suspects will be brought before the court for prosecution,” stated Idris-Adamu.
Source: punchng.com
