CP Abiodun Oladapo, Commissioner Of State Command
Fraudsters hack accounts via BVN linked no. The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos State has confirmed the arrest of two members of a syndicate linked to the hacking of no fewer than 1000 bank accounts in Nigeria.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspects, who specialised in hacking local banks, were nabbed at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, following a petition by the United Bank for Africa. Idris-Adamu identified the suspects as Yusuf Ademola, 40, and Adesina Abiodun, 50, adding that efforts were on to arrest other accomplices linked to the crime.
“On May 8, 2023, a petition was submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police by United Bank for Africa that there are some syndicates that specialise in internet fraud of various banks in Nigeria, most notably United Bank for Africa, in which they hack into customers’ accounts and move their monies,” the statement read.
“In response to the petition, the AIG dispatched a team of detectives from the Zonal Monitoring Unit, who swung into action using modern technology, and two suspects, Yusuf Ademola, 40, and Adesina Abiodun, 50, were apprehended at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.”
“The suspects confessed to the crime, saying they have many syndicates all over Nigeria and use software to hack into customers’ accounts and move their money undetected from any bank they want.” However, these fraudsters’ method of operation is to have a customer’s BVN linked phone number and bank account for fast money transfer.”
“Over 1000 customers’ accounts have been hacked and defrauded across the country,” Idris-Adamu said, adding that a probe into the matter indicated that members of the syndicates were drawn from various sections of the country.
She stated that all attempts were being made to apprehend all suspects involved in the incident.
“In the meantime, the investigation is still ongoing, and suspects will be arraigned in court shortly after the investigation is completed,” Idris-Adamu stated.