Nigeria Police Bust Sophisticated WhatsApp Cloning Syndicate Targeting Prominent Nigerians

June 2025

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate that specialized in cloning the WhatsApp accounts of high-profile Nigerians to defraud unsuspecting victims. The breakthrough was made possible by the cyber intelligence team at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

This major bust was disclosed in an official statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who lauded the cyber team’s efforts in cracking down on the highly organized operation.

A Web of Deception: How the Syndicate Operated

The investigation into the syndicate began after a formal complaint was filed on April 14, 2025. According to the police, the group used social engineering techniques and exploited mobile platform vulnerabilities to hijack WhatsApp accounts of prominent Nigerians. Once access was gained, the cybercriminals targeted the victim’s contact lists, posing as the account owner to trick friends, family, and colleagues into sending money.

“The suspects were hijacking the WhatsApp accounts of prominent Nigerians and using them to defraud unsuspecting contacts,” ACP Adejobi confirmed.

Over the course of the investigation, millions of naira in fraudulent proceeds were tracked across several Nigerian banks and subsequently frozen. The cybercrime unit leveraged advanced digital forensics and innovative cyber tracking tools to map the syndicate’s digital footprint and financial transactions.

Arrests and Confessions: The Syndicate Unravels

One of the operation’s key breakthroughs came with the arrest of a prime suspect, Onajite Okoro, in Warri, Delta State. According to the police, Okoro confessed to working with an accomplice identified only as “Chief Mallam Zaki,” whom he met via Facebook.

Okoro played a central role in enabling the scam, reportedly registering SIM cards, linking them to multiple bank accounts, and facilitating illicit fund transfers.

“Investigators recovered fraudulent equipment and financial records confirming Okoro’s involvement in the scheme,” the police statement read.

Further investigations revealed that additional members of the syndicate remain at large. The Force stated that efforts are currently underway to apprehend all individuals connected to the operation and ensure they face prosecution.

National Implications and Zero-Tolerance from the Police

This case underscores the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and highlights the increasing use of social engineering tactics to bypass digital security. It also reflects the urgent need for improved cybersecurity awareness among the public.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun responded to the development by reaffirming the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on cyber and financial crimes, promising to adapt to evolving digital threats.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s cyberspace and ensuring that all threat actors, regardless of their status or targets, face the full weight of the law,” said the IGP.

Safety First: Police Advise Stronger Cyber Hygiene

As part of their response, the Nigeria Police issued cybersecurity best practices to help Nigerians safeguard their digital identities:

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on WhatsApp and other apps

• Be wary of unusual messages, even if they appear to be from trusted contacts

• Avoid sharing sensitive information over unsecured platforms

• Regularly review account activity and settings for unauthorized changes

With messaging apps like WhatsApp becoming central to both personal and professional communication, the case serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by cybercriminals in the digital age.

Also Read:

• [Flutterwave Hack: Court Rejects IGP’s Request to Reverse Billions Allegedly Withdrawn]

• [WhatsApp Finally Arrives on iPad After 16 Years of Waiting]

• [Inside Nigeria’s Cybercrime Battle: Strategies and Challenges for Law Enforcement]

This successful operation by the NPF-NCCC marks a significant win in Nigeria’s war on cybercrime and sends a clear message: no criminal is beyond the reach of the law—even in the digital realm.