RismadarVoice Reporters
June 3, 2026
Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Aliyu Muhammed, in connection with an alleged ₦5.7 million online fraud involving a university lecturer from Akwa Ibom State.
The suspect was arrested over allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering, according to a statement issued by the NPF-NCCC.
Police said the arrest followed a petition submitted by the victim, an Akwa Ibom-based university lecturer whose identity was withheld.
According to the complaint, the lecturer responded in March 2026 to advertisements for household items posted on a Facebook “declutter” page operating under the name “SHOPHOUSEHOLDITEMS.”
The seller subsequently moved discussions to WhatsApp, where the victim was allegedly persuaded to make payments totalling ₦5.7 million for the advertised items.
The funds were transferred into multiple fintech bank accounts. However, after payment was completed, the goods were not delivered, the victim was blocked from further communication, and the Facebook page was reportedly abandoned.
Following receipt of the petition, investigators at the NPF-NCCC launched a digital forensic investigation.
The police disclosed that through the deployment of technical intelligence resources and cooperation with Meta Inc., the owner of the account used to operate the fraudulent Facebook page was identified and traced to Katsina State, where he was arrested.
According to the statement, the full amount of ₦5.7 million has been recovered, while investigations are continuing.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling cybercrime and protecting citizens from online fraud.
He urged members of the public to exercise caution when conducting transactions on social media platforms, advising them to verify the identity and credibility of sellers before making payments.
The police further warned against transferring large sums of money to unverified accounts without first confirming the existence and availability of goods or services being advertised.
