The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has nabbed the culprits behind a fake Facebook account impersonating its Commandant, Olusola Odumosu.
The commandant disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s Headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Odumosu had previously warned the public in September 2023 about a fraudulent Facebook account bearing his name.
After a seven-month operation, the command succeeded in apprehending Henry Ushie Odep, 34, and his younger brother Emmanuel Ushie Odep, 23, from Cross Rivers State.
The investigation uncovered a history of online fraud spanning years, with the duo confessing to duping unsuspecting victims through various means, including creating fake profiles of high-ranking officials.
Henry also admitted to introducing his younger brother to cybercrime to alleviate financial pressures, and they operated under multiple aliases and platforms to carry out their schemes.
Further investigations revealed their involvement in other fraudulent activities, with Chisom Amadi and Evelyn Okafor initially apprehended but later released due to lack of involvement in the cyber fraud.
Items seized from the suspects included Moniepoint and Opay Pos machines, Tecno and Infinix phones.
The NSCDC reiterated its commitment to prosecute the suspects and warned cybercriminals that their activities would not go unpunished.
“We want to use this opportunity to warn all cybercriminals who specialise in defrauding people of their hard-earned money to find legitimate trade to do because, sooner or later, the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” adding that the eagle-eyed officers and men of NSCDC are everywhere “You can only run, you can’t hide.
“This arrest should serve as a deterrent to others in this illicit business that crime doesn’t pay. The NSCDC FCT Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to launch its dragnet into fighting any form of criminality that’ll contravene peace, security, and any other government’s interest for the people.”