In Lagos, two Nigerian individuals have been apprehended on charges of defrauding the Jamaican government of one million dollars. The operation was conducted by Nigeria’s Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Loop News, the suspects were detained at their residence in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, following an international investigation into a cyber fraud scheme. This investigation was launched in response to a business email compromise that illicitly diverted funds from the National Water Commission of Jamaica.
The collaborative effort between the three agencies led to securing an international arrest warrant. Major Basil Jarrett, MOCA’s Director of Communications, reported that MOCA received a complaint in 2023 from the National Water Commission regarding the fraudulent scheme. The swift response included freezing the stolen assets and returning the majority of the funds.
“MOCA’s partnership with US federal law enforcement agencies facilitated an intensive international cyber investigation, leading to the freezing of the funds and the return of most of the stolen money,” stated Major Jarrett. “This case underscores the effectiveness of our cybersecurity measures and the crucial role of international cooperation in combating cyber threats.”
MOCA also noted that the investigation remains ongoing, with further inquiries into potential additional individuals involved in the sophisticated fraud scheme.