The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended 27-year-old Rabiu Aliyu Salisu, also known as Rabo, from Kogi State. He is accused of being involved in identity theft, computer fraud, and money laundering, amounting to $597,000. The police revealed that Salisu allegedly impersonated an American citizen, Matthew Ramsey, to deceive and exploit vulnerable women in online romance scams.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared that Salisu confessed to defrauding an American woman, Deborah Woods, out of $597,000. The suspect claimed to have received $200,000 from the scam, which he used to purchase a three-bedroom terrace worth N65 million.
Further investigation led to a raid on Salisu’s premises, where multiple electronic devices used in the fraudulent activities were seized. Additionally, the police confiscated eight BMW vehicles suspected of being proceeds from the crime.
In another operation, police dismantled a major crime syndicate responsible for a $4 million fraud targeting international oil trading companies. This group, allegedly led by Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Eagle Capital Management, and Richrice International Corporation, operates across Nigeria, China, and the United States. They are accused of engaging in sophisticated fraud schemes in the global oil and gas industry.
On January 4, 2024, Dr. David Emmanuel Udensik, also known as Dr. Jacob Bello, was arrested. The Nigerian national from Akwa Ibom State is said to have forged documents from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to scam oil traders, resulting in fraudulent earnings of $610,000.
Further arrests included Engr. Isaac Jerome Oyakhilome, CEO of Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited and director at Richrice International Corporation. Oyakhilome is accused of facilitating a multimillion-dollar fraud by preparing fraudulent sales agreements for crude oil, resulting in a $1,151,495 gain for his company.
Police recovered several assets during the operation, including ₦55,000,000 ($33,428.57), assets worth ₦370,000,000, and a Toyota Camry, along with multiple electronic devices.
In total, the NPF-NCCC arrested 32 suspects in January 2025, while the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos secured 52 arrests, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to 84. These successful operations reflect the proactive approach of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, in restoring Nigeria’s reputation and working towards removing the country from the FATF Grey List.
