The Nigeria Police Force has busted a syndicate of cybercriminals who specialise in cloning the WhatsApp details of prominent Nigerians to defraud unsuspecting victims. The development was disclosed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Describing the syndicate af “sophisticated”, the Force PRO credited the successful dismantling of the cyberfraud syndicate to the cyber intelligence team of the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC). According to him, the suspects were hijacking the WhatsApp accounts of prominent Nigerians and using them to defraud unsuspecting contacts.
He noted that following a complaint filed on April 14, 2025, the cyber intelligence team used advanced digital forensics and other innovative tactics to investigate and expose the operations of the syndicate.
According to the result of the investigation, the group deployed social engineering tactics while compromising mobile platforms to take control of WhatsApp accounts belonging to prominent Nigerians. They would then access the contacts list, reach out to the individual contacts and defraud the unsuspecting victims.
Millions of naira illicitly obtained were traced across multiple Nigerian banks and subsequently frozen during the course of the investigation, per the police.
Key suspects of the WhatsApp rigging syndicate arrested
One of the key suspects of the WhatsApp-rigging syndicate, identified as Onajite Okoro, was arrested in Warri, Delta State. The suspect reportedly confessed to collaborating with an accomplice known as “Chief Mallam Zaki,” whom he had met through Facebook in the execution of his criminal endeavours.
According to the police, Onajite Okoro played a significant role in registering SIM cards, linking them to various bank accounts, and facilitating fraudulent fund transfers. Investigators also recovered evidence from Okoro’s equipment and financial records, confirming his involvement in the scheme.
“One key suspect, Onajite Okoro ‘m’, was apprehended in Warri, Delta State. The suspect confessed to collaborating with an accomplice identified as “Chief Mallam Zaki,” whom he met via Facebook, further highlighting his role in facilitating the fraudulent scheme by registering SIM cards, linking them to various bank accounts, and assisting in illicit fund transfers,” the police statement said.
The police also stated that further analysis of Okoro’s fraudulent equipment and financial records has yielded concrete evidence of his involvement in the fraudulent scheme. Further investigations have also revealed additional syndicate members who remain at large, and efforts are currently ongoing to arrest all suspects involved and prosecute them, per the police.
The police further noted that the Inspector-General, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance approach to all forms of crime, particularly financial and cyber-related crimes. He pledged the NPF’s readiness to respond to evolving digital threats and ensure that those responsible face justice.
The police have also advised citizens to adopt safer digital practices, including using multi-factor authentication, securing communication channels, and being wary of suspicious messages, even from known contacts.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s cyberspace and ensuring that all threat actors, regardless of their status or targets, face the full weight of the law,” the police statement reads.
See also: Beyond Uber and Bolt: Here are 5 lesser known e-hailing apps operating in Nigeria
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
