Seven Held In Delta Over Cross-Border Online Investment Fraud
Joint Operation Exposes Cybercrime Syndicate
A coordinated operation by Nigerian and British law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of seven suspected cybercriminals and the dismantling of an international online investment scam centre in Agbor, Delta State.
The Nigeria Police Force said the operation was executed by the Police National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCC) in partnership with the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), following actionable intelligence provided by Meta.
Sophisticated Online Investment Fraud
Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspects allegedly operated a sophisticated investment scam that relied heavily on fake social media identities.
“These individuals impersonated trusted cryptocurrency traders and investment experts to lure victims into fraudulent schemes,” Hundeyin stated.
Victims were reportedly contacted through social media platforms and directed to what appeared to be legitimate investment opportunities, only to lose their funds once payments were made.
Organised Structure and Assigned Roles
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had a structured hierarchy, with each suspect assigned specific tasks such as account creation, spamming, messaging and victim engagement.
The alleged mastermind, Collins Ogwuorie, was said to have acquired hundreds of social media accounts to sustain the operation and avoid detection. These accounts were used simultaneously to flood online spaces with fraudulent investment content.
Fake Platforms and Testimonials
Police also discovered that the suspects operated a deceptive Facebook page named “Retirement Strategies: Real Estate and Market Insights.” The page featured falsified testimonials and investment success stories designed to gain the trust of unsuspecting users.
The operation primarily targeted victims in the United Kingdom, although several Nigerians and other foreign nationals were also affected.
Seizures and Public Advisory
During the raid, law enforcement officers recovered 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards and a laptop, which investigators believe were central to the group’s fraudulent activities.
The arrested suspects—Collins Ogwuorie, Christian Ogwuorie, Gbenoba Emmanuel, Samuel Olufemi, Collins Victor, Onyeka Emenem and Kefas Ogunbor—are currently in custody as investigations continue.
The Nigeria Police Force urged the public to exercise caution online and to thoroughly verify investment platforms before engaging, warning that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting social media to perpetrate fraud.
