Nigeria: 1000 accounts are hacked by fraudsters using BVN-linked numbers
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
The arrest of two members of a syndicate connected to the hacking of at least 1,000 Nigerian bank accounts has been arrested by the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos State.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, the command’s spokesperson, the suspects were apprehended at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, following a petition from the United Bank for Africa. They were known to specialize in hacking local banks.
Yusuf Ademola, 40, and Adesina Abiodun, 50, were named as the suspects by Idris-Adamu, who also stated that efforts were being made to apprehend additional criminal accomplices.
The statement went on to say, “On May 8, 2023, a petition was submitted by United Bank for Africa to the Assistant Inspector General of Police that there are some syndicates that specialize in internet fraud of various Nigerian banks, most notably United Bank for Africa, in which they hack into customers’ accounts and move their monies.” United Bank for Africa was one of the banks mentioned in the petition.
“The petition prompted the AIG to form a team of detectives from the Zonal Monitoring Unit. With the help of cutting-edge technology, these detectives jumped into action, and two suspects, Yusuf Ademola, 40, and Adesina Abiodun, 50, were located at their hideout in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
According to the CBN, BVN does not have a time limit. “The suspects confessed to the crime that they have many syndicates throughout Nigeria and that they use software to hack into customers’ accounts and move their money without being detected from any bank they wish.” However, these con artists use the customer’s BVN-linked phone number and bank alert to make it simple to transfer the money.
Idris-Adamu said that “over 1000 customers’ accounts have been hacked and defrauded across the country.” She also said that an investigation into the incident showed that the members of the syndicates came from different parts of the country.
She stated that efforts were intensifying to apprehend all criminal suspects.
Idris-Adamu added, “The investigation is still ongoing in the interim, and suspects will soon be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.”
