A recent joint operation between law enforcement authorities in Nigeria and Japan has successfully apprehended 11 individuals involved in various forms of cybercrime such as identity theft, romance scams, and computer-related fraud targeting Japanese victims. The collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the National Police Agency of Japan resulted in the arrest of these suspects following a report received in April 2024 regarding cybercrimes linked to a group of 13 individuals operating from Nigeria.
The Nigeria Police Force, in conjunction with the National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant agencies, conducted a thorough investigation that led to the successful arrests. The suspects were found to have used social media platforms, specifically Instagram, to deceive victims into fraudulent romantic relationships, ultimately tricking them into transferring funds through wire transactions. These funds were then converted into cryptocurrency and channeled into digital wallets in Nigeria.
Efforts to combat cybercrime have been further strengthened through this international partnership, with ongoing initiatives to recover stolen funds and dismantle the criminal network responsible for these illicit activities. So far, $33,320 has been recovered from the suspects, and authorities are actively pursuing additional funds while working to dismantle the syndicate involved in these crimes.