The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has dismantled a cross-border fraud syndicate and made multiple arrests in separate cybercrime investigations, including the arrest of a fake World Bank official and two suspects linked to business email compromise.
The operations, carried out under Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, targets financial fraud and aim to protect foreign direct investment and the integrity of Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystem.
In an intelligence-led operation, the NPF-NCCC dismantled a syndicate following actionable intelligence from the East Africa Sub-Sahara Africa Safe Promotion Foundation, a registered NGO in Nairobi, Kenya. The complainants, Julius Kithome and Cynthia Kithome, were introduced to the suspect by one Rev. Edy Ndeto in Nairobi. The suspect, Agbor Martins Black-Diamond, also known as Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins, falsely presented himself as an official of the World Bank and other US-based donor partners.
In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, he said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the complainants, relying on the claims, transferred a total of $250,000 over three years for purported registration and administrative fees meant to unlock donor funding. No funding was ever secured. The suspect organised sham symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa. In 2024, he further induced the victims to secure a bank loan against their family property to access a non-existent $850,000 empowerment fund in Ghana.
“Investigation and financial analysis confirmed inflows from the Kenyan victims, including: $57,975 between February and July 2023. The suspect was arrested on March 31, 2026. His entity, Black Diamond African Beauty Restoration Foundation, was found unregistered in Nigeria. He later registered United African Continent Limited in November 2024 to legitimise his activities. Findings also indicate the suspect extended his scheme to local farmers in Kuje Area Council, collecting N50,000 each under the guise of empowerment and capacity building.
“In a separate case, the NPF-NCCC on April 3, 2026, arrested Chinedu Mbachu, a former employee, following a complaint by Lex Excellentia on behalf of Emmanuel Enwelu of NewLife Ventures Makurdi. The suspect was accused of unauthorised modification of computer systems, cybersquatting, and diversion of funds. He confessed to using his personal bank accounts to receive customer payments meant for the company. A Samsung A6 Plus mobile phone, NIN paper slip, and NIN digital slip were recovered from him.
“The NPF-NCCC also arrested Ayodele Daramola, 31, an employee, and Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, 29, over allegations of financial misconduct reported by a private company. They face allegations of criminal conspiracy, breach of data privacy, business email compromise, unauthorised access to computer network, fraud, money laundering, and forgery.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that between May and December 2025, Ayodele Daramola, who held the position of Investment Booking, conspired with Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, a non-staff member, to divert company funds. The suspects allegedly siphoned N85,000,000 by exploiting internal systems and channelling the funds through a commercial bank account belonging to Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi.
“From the proceeds, 21% or approximately N17,850,000 was retained by Dada Babatunde, while 79% or approximately N67,150,000 was transferred to an online bank account linked to Ayodele Daramola. Further investigation established that approximately N61,000,000 received by Ayodele Daramola was spent on online gambling and betting platforms. A cash sum of N4,000,000, an unserviceable Lexus ES350 with registration number Lagos JJJ878JZ, a Dell laptop, and an iPhone 13 Pro Max were recovered from the suspects.
“Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to recover the remaining funds and prosecute all parties involved.
“Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said Nigeria is not a safe haven for cybercriminals and that the Force will pursue all persons, domestic or foreign, who exploit technology, internal systems, and cross-border partnerships for fraudulent purposes. He assured the public and the international community of the NPF’s commitment to protecting the digital economy and bringing perpetrators to justice.”
