Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in cybercrime investigations, dismantling a cross-border fraud syndicate, arresting a fake World Bank official, and apprehending two suspects over an ₦85 million Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme.
Force spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, disclosed the developments, noting that the operations were carried out by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to him, the arrests highlight the Force’s renewed commitment to combating cybercrime, protecting investments, and safeguarding Nigeria’s digital and financial systems.
DCP Placid said the NPF-NCCC dismantled a sophisticated cross-border fraud syndicate following actionable intelligence received from the East Africa Sub-Sahara Africa Safe Promotion (EA-SSASPF) Foundation, a registered NGO based in Nairobi, Kenya.
He explained that the victims, Mr. Julius Kithome and Ms. Cynthia Kithome, were introduced to the suspect by Rev. Edy Ndeto in Nairobi, after which the suspect allegedly posed as a World Bank official and representative of other U.S.-based donor partners.
The suspect, Agbor Martins Black-Diamond, also known as Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins, allegedly convinced the victims to part with funds under the pretext of facilitating donor grants.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the complainants relying on the fraudulent claims, transferred a total of USD $250,000 over three years for purported registration and administrative fees meant to unlock donor funding. No funding was ever secured,” Placid stated.
Investigations further showed that the suspect allegedly organized sham symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa to reinforce the deception.
“In 2024, he further induced the victims to secure a bank loan against their family property to access a non-existent $850,000 empowerment fund in Ghana,” he added.
Financial analysis conducted by investigators confirmed significant inflows from the Kenyan victims, including $57,975 between February and July 2023.
The suspect was eventually arrested on March 31, 2026, after investigators discovered that his organisation, Black Diamond African Beauty Restoration Foundation, was not registered in Nigeria. He subsequently registered United African Continent Limited in November 2024 to allegedly legitimize his activities.
Further findings revealed that the suspect also extended his scheme to local farmers in Kuje Area Council, collecting ₦50,000 each under the guise of empowerment and capacity building.
In another development, DCP Placid disclosed that the NPF-NCCC arrested Chinedu Mbachu on April 3, 2026, following a complaint by Lex Excellentia on behalf of Mr. Emmanuel Enwelu of NewLife Ventures Makurdi.
The suspect, a former employee, was accused of unauthorized modification of computer systems, cybersquatting, and diversion of company funds.
“He confessed to have used his personal bank accounts to receive customer payments intended for the company,” the police spokesman said.
Recovered items from the suspect included one Samsung A6 Plus mobile phone, NIN paper slip, and NIN digital slip.
The NPF-NCCC also arrested Ayodele Daramola, 31, and Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, 29, following a petition by a private company alleging financial misconduct.
According to DCP Placid, the suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, breach of data privacy, business email compromise (BEC), unauthorized access to computer network, fraud, money laundering, and forgery.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that between May and December 2025, Ayodele Daramola, an employee in the position of Investment Booking, conspired with Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, a non-staff member, to fraudulently divert company funds,” he said.
“The suspects allegedly siphoned a total sum of ₦85,000,000.00 by exploiting internal systems and channelling the funds through a commercial bank account belonging to Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi.”
DCP Placid emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to tackling cybercrime and financial fraud, warning individuals and organizations to remain vigilant.
He noted that investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion.
“These operations underscore the Force’s unwavering resolve to combat financial fraud, protect foreign direct investment, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystem,” he stated.