Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) says it has uncovered a major telecommunications fraud syndicate accused of compromising a telecom operator’s billing infrastructure and fraudulently generating data valued at more than N7.7 billion.
The Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Imah said the operation led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of nearly N90 million, two residential houses, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle believed to be proceeds of the crime.
According to her, the investigation began following a petition by a leading telecommunications company alleging unauthorised access to its network through the misuse of staff login credentials.
She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects unlawfully gained access to the company’s billing infrastructure between Oct. 1 and Nov. 28, 2024.
The suspects allegedly generated airtime fraudulently, converted it into data bundles and distributed the data through a network of vendors across the country.
“The Nigeria Police Force, through the NPF-NCCC, has recorded significant progress in the investigation of a case involving computer-related fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and theft of telecom services.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that between Oct. 1 and Nov. 28, 2024, suspects unlawfully gained access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime which was subsequently converted to data bundles.
“The data bundles were thereafter distributed and sold through a network of vendors across the country,” she said.
Imah said operatives recovered more than 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, Point of Sale (POS) machines, cash exhibits and other evidential materials during the investigation.
She added that the telecommunications company was able to reverse about 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently obtained data valued at approximately N3.8 billion.
According to her, further investigations established the involvement of both insiders and external collaborators in the scheme.
The spokesperson said a second phase of coordinated operations conducted in May 2026 in Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states led to the arrest of key suspects, including Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.
Others arrested in connection with the case include Musa Hassan Mohammed, an Information Technology specialist, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu.
She said financial investigations and asset-tracing efforts resulted in the recovery of almost N90 million and other assets linked to the alleged fraud.
Imah said investigations were ongoing to identify additional accomplices, trace more proceeds and ensure the prosecution of all those found culpable.
She quoted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as reiterating the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the nation’s critical digital infrastructure and combating cybercrime.
The police urged members of the public with useful information to contact the NPF-NCCC through its official reporting channels.
