https://thestreetjournal.org/over-100-foreigners-charged-for-cybercrimes-money-laundering-in-abuja/

About 113 foreign nationals have been brought before the federal high court, Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for charges on cybercrimes, marketing scams, money laundering and illegal data access.

This was revealed via a post on X by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday, December 2.

He noted that the arrests took place on Sunday, November 3, in Jahi, a neighborhood in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The operation was carried out by the National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC) and Zone 7 Command of the NPF.

During the operation, the police seized various advanced digital equipment thought to have played a key role in the syndicate’s cyber activities.

The items recovered include laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers from several brands, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, numerous SIM cards, gaming consoles, international passports, and other travel documents.

A black Toyota Tundra and a Harman/Kardon sound system were also among the confiscated items.

The post read, “These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorised data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities.

“The scale and sophistication of the operation underscore the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.”

The suspects are facing charges not only related to cybercrime but also including immigration violations and involvement in human trafficking networks.

Adding that, “As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.”

The police have pledged to collaborate closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to tackle these transnational criminal activities.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country,” the post concluded.