The Nigeria Police Force has called on citizens to report cybercriminals through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), following the recent arrest of four suspects involved in an alleged sextortion scam.
According to the police, the arrested suspects, identified as Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb, allegedly lured a Croatian national into an intimate relationship under false pretenses on a dating app. The suspects, pretending to be a woman, persuaded the victim to send compromising photos and then threatened to release the images unless a ransom was paid.
The NPF-NCCC acted after receiving a report through its e-reporting portal. Police say the intelligence gathered led to the suspects’ arrest and the recovery of several exhibits, including six iPhones, a Samsung phone, a Techno phone, and a Lexus car.
The suspects had been involved in similar scams of extorting victims around the world using online platforms, according to the Police. They typically received payments through gift cards, including iTunes and Steam cards, exploiting their victims through various digital means.
In a statement, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, wants Nigerians to be “wary of suspicious online activities of scammers and other cybercriminals.”
The force also reiterated the importance of using the NPF-NCCC’s e-reporting platform to flag suspicious online behavior, noting that public cooperation is vital to identifying and arresting cybercriminals.
The suspects, who are still under investigation, will be charged in court, according to the Police.
About NPF-NCCC
The Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Unit was established in 2017 to tackle the increasing threat of cybercrime. Over the years, it has evolved into the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), which now serves as the country’s main hub for investigating and preventing cyber-related crimes. Equipped with advanced digital forensic tools, the force said, the Centre is staffed by IT experts who conduct investigations, assess vulnerabilities, and gather intelligence to combat online threats.
Beyond investigating crimes, the NPF-NCCC also raises public awareness about cyber safety and protects critical infrastructure by coordinating cybersecurity policies.
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