- N7.7bn telecom fraud uncovered through illegal airtime and data diversion
- Six suspects arrested by the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre
- Telecom billing systems compromised in coordinated cyber attack
- Luxury assets recovered as suspected proceeds of the crime
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a massive telecom fraud scheme involving the illegal diversion of airtime and data resources, with losses estimated at over N7.7 billion. The cyber-enabled crime was detected after a major Nigerian telecommunications company raised an alarm over irregular activities within its internal billing and payment systems.
The discovery was made through the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigeria Police Force, following a formal petition submitted by the affected telecom operator.
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According to police authorities, the company reported “suspicious and unauthorised transactions” that pointed to a deliberate manipulation of its airtime and data platforms. These activities allegedly allowed fraudsters to siphon huge telecom resources without proper billing.
Confirming the development, the Police said a detailed digital investigation led to the arrest of six suspects believed to be key players in the cybercrime network.
“Our findings revealed a coordinated cyber operation that exploited weaknesses in the company’s billing and payment infrastructure,” a police source said.
The Force also disclosed that several high-value assets, including luxury vehicles and electronic devices, were recovered during coordinated raids. These items are believed to be proceeds from the illegal diversion of telecom resources.
Investigations are ongoing, and the Police assured Nigerians that all suspects will be prosecuted in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.