Police uncover N7.7bn telecom data fraud ring

The Nigeria Police Force, through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has uncovered a major cyber fraud syndicate accused of illegally accessing a telecommunications company’s network and diverting services valued at about N7.7 billion.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the investigation exposed the involvement of both internal and external collaborators in the fraud.

According to the police, the probe began after a leading telecommunications company reported the compromise and unauthorised use of its staff login credentials.

Preliminary investigations revealed that between October 1 and November 28, 2024, the suspects gained illegal access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted into data bundles and sold through a network of vendors across the country.

Imah said several suspects were arrested during the investigation, while security operatives recovered more than 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, POS machines, cash exhibits and other items linked to the crime.

He disclosed that the telecommunications company successfully reversed approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently obtained data valued at about N3.8 billion.

Further investigations uncovered the involvement of insiders and external collaborators in the scheme.

As part of a second phase of operations conducted in May 2026, operatives of the NPF-NCCC carried out coordinated raids in Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states, leading to the arrest of key suspects, including Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.

Other suspects arrested in connection with the case are Musa Hassan Mohammed, an IT specialist, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu, who are believed to have benefited from the proceeds of the fraudulent activities.

Through financial investigations and asset tracing, the police recovered nearly N90 million, as well as two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, all identified as proceeds of the crime.

The police said investigations are ongoing to identify other accomplices, trace additional proceeds and ensure the prosecution of everyone involved in the fraud.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the nation’s critical digital infrastructure and tackling cybercrime, while urging members of the public with relevant information to assist ongoing investigations through the NPF-NCCC reporting channels.