A joint operation between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) has led to the arrest of 11 suspects involved in various cybercrimes, including identity theft, romance scams, and computer-related fraud targeting Japanese victims.
In a statement released on Monday, February 17, 2025, NPF spokesperson ACP Muyiwa Adejobi detailed the operation, which followed a report received on April 3, 2024, regarding five cybercrime cases linked to 13 individuals operating from Nigeria.
The NPF National Cybercrime Centre, in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Central Bureau and NCB Tokyo, launched an extensive investigation that ultimately led to the arrests. The joint effort underscores the strengthened international partnership aimed at combating the growing threat of cybercrime.
At a press briefing at the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, Adejobi highlighted the success of the operation, which uncovered a network exploiting social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to lure victims into fraudulent romantic relationships. The suspects manipulated victims into transferring funds via wire transactions, which were then converted into cryptocurrency and funneled into digital wallets in Nigeria.
So far, the operation has resulted in the recovery of $33,320, with ongoing efforts to reclaim additional stolen funds and dismantle the entire syndicate. The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, both physically and digitally, and vowed to continue leveraging emerging technologies to combat cybercrime and protect the public.
