JUST IN: Police arraigns 113 foreigners arrested over sophisticated cybercrime operations

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced a successful operation by officers of Zone 7 Command and the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.

According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of 113 foreign nationals involved in elaborate cybercrime schemes, including internet fraud and marketing scams.

The arrests occurred on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, Abuja, during an operation that uncovered extensive evidence critical to the syndicate’s cyber operations.

Recovered items included:

• A Toyota Tundra vehicle
• Multiple laptops, smartphones, and tablets
• High-capacity servers, routers, and drones
• Specialized cyber equipment and game consoles
• Identity cards, passports, and travel documents
• Central processing units and communication devices

“As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

“The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.

“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law,” Police spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement.