29/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE
NPF-NCCC Arrests Suspect over ₦5.7 Million Cyber Fraud
The Nigeria Police Force through the Nigeria Police Force, National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested 27 years old Aliyu Muhammed ‘M’, in connection with Computer Related Fraud, Identity Theft, Obtaining by False Pretence and Money Laundering.
The arrest was made following a written petition from an Akwa Ibom based University Don names withheld. According to the complainant, in March 2026, he responded to advertisements for household items on a Facebook “declutter” page operated under the name “SHOPHOUSEHOLDITEMS.” The seller moved negotiations to WhatsApp, where the complainant was induced to make total payments of ₦5,700,000 (Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira). Funds were transferred to various fintech bank accounts and after full payment was made, the goods were not delivered, the victim was blocked, and the fraudulent page was abandoned.
Upon receipt of the petition, NPF-NCCC through technical assets and cooperation from Meta Inc, identified the owner of the account that was used to host the fraudulent page and he was traced to somewhere in Katsina State where he was arrested. The total sum has been recovered and investigation is still ongoing.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc(+),npm reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating Cybercrime and protecting citizens from online fraudsters.
Members of the public are advised to exercise caution when transacting business on social media platforms, verify seller credentials, and avoid making significant payments to unverified accounts before seeing what they are purchasing.
DSP Unwana Imah
Ag. Police Public Liaison Officer,
NPF-NCCC, Abuja.
For:
Director,
NPF-NCCC, Abuja.