Police, UK NCA, and Meta Dismantle Cross-Border Online Investment Fraud Syndicate in Delta State, Arrest Seven

 

In a significant blow to transnational cybercrime, the Nigeria Police Force has dismantled an international online investment scam centre operating in Agbor, Delta State. The operation, conducted by the Police National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC), resulted in the arrest of seven suspects accused of defrauding victims in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries of millions of dollars through sophisticated online schemes.

The joint effort involved close collaboration with the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) and vital intelligence support from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and other platforms. Authorities stated that the suspects allegedly used hundreds of fake social media accounts—procured from online vendors—to impersonate legitimate cryptocurrency traders and lure victims into fraudulent investment platforms.

The arrested individuals have been identified as:

Collins Ogwuorie (alleged mastermind)

Christian Ogwuorie

Gbenoba Emmanuel

Samuel Olufemi

Collins Victor

Onyeka Emenem

Kefas Ogunbor

During the raid, operatives recovered 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards, and one laptop believed to have been used in the fraudulent activities.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests and emphasized that the syndicate targeted unsuspecting individuals who engaged with seemingly legitimate investment opportunities online. Victims were reportedly tricked into transferring funds under the promise of high returns, with losses amounting to millions of dollars across multiple countries.

This operation underscores growing international cooperation in combating cyber-enabled financial fraud, particularly those leveraging social media for impersonation and romance/investment scams. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with potential charges related to cybercrime, fraud, and money laundering.