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Tag: Cybercrime

  • EFCC Boss Reveals How Yahoo Boys Stole N7.2m from Serving Judge Overnight

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Boys, stole more than N7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in a midnight cyberattack.

    Olukoyede shared the incident during the public presentation of two books written by Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, describing it as a clear example of the growing threat posed by cybercrime in Nigeria.

    Judge lost six years of savings overnight

    According to the EFCC chairman, the judge, who serves in one of the South-South states, was awakened around 1 a.m. by multiple debit alerts showing that fraudsters had emptied her account.

    He said the stolen N7.2 million represented six years of savings the judge had set aside to fund her child’s education.

    Olukoyede disclosed that the judge immediately contacted him after discovering the withdrawals.

    EFCC recovered the stolen money

    The EFCC chairman said the commission quickly launched an investigation and successfully recovered the entire amount before 6 p.m. on the same day.

    He added that the incident happened in a state where a court order had previously restricted the EFCC from investigating certain financial crimes.

    According to Olukoyede, the judge later admitted that becoming a victim of cybercrime changed her perspective on the agency’s work.

    “He added that if an application comes before that judge to stop the EFCC from carrying out its mandate, she will refuse it because she has become a victim,” he said.

    Cybercrime remains a major concern

    Olukoyede used the incident to stress the increasing sophistication of internet fraudsters and the need to strengthen efforts to combat cybercrime across the country.

    He noted that cybercriminals continue to target Nigerians from all walks of life, including public officials and members of the judiciary.

    The EFCC has not disclosed the identity of the judge, the specific South-South state involved or whether any suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

  • INEC Opens Investigation Into Alleged Misuse of Voter Data Access in CVR Database

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation into allegations of unauthorised access and misuse of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database following reports linked to the alleged exposure of a voter’s personal information.

    The commission disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

    Investigation Commences

    INEC said it had commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident to establish how voter information was accessed and disclosed.

    According to the commission, preliminary findings show that the matter involved internal access credentials issued to authorised registration officers during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

    INEC stressed that these credentials are strictly for official use and are withdrawn after the exercise.

    No External Breach Detected

    The electoral body clarified that there was no hacking or external breach of its voter database.

    It explained that preliminary audit findings indicate that the information was accessed using valid internal credentials but released without authorisation.

    “There was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorised external access to the Commission’s ICT infrastructure,” the statement said.

    INEC added that the incident involved access to a specific voter record and did not compromise the broader voter registration system or the data of over 90 million registered voters.

    DSS Also Investigating

    The commission further disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced an independent investigation into the matter.

    It assured that it would cooperate fully with security agencies and take disciplinary or legal action against anyone found culpable.

    INEC urged the public and media to avoid speculation while investigations continue, promising to update Nigerians once the process is concluded.

    The development comes amid public debate over alleged exposure of voter information linked to a political figure in the Federal Capital Territory.

  • Court Grants Justice Crack ₦5m Bail in Cybercrime Case Amid Viral Soldiers’ Video Row

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to social media activist Chidiebere Mark, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum.

    The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, bringing temporary relief for the detained influencer who has been in custody over cybercrime-related allegations.

    Bail conditions outlined by court

    The court ordered that the defendant must produce a surety in the sum of ₦5 million as part of the bail conditions.

    Justice Crack is expected to meet the requirements before his release from Department of State Services (DSS) custody.

    Case linked to viral military video

    The activist was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, including the circulation of false information said to be capable of causing public unrest.

    The charges stem from a viral video relating to comments about soldiers’ welfare, which later triggered public debate online.

    He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Earlier courtroom setback

    The case had suffered an earlier delay on May 14, 2026, after a bail application was withdrawn following a dispute between two lawyers over representation.

    The court later struck out the earlier processes and adjourned the matter to May 18 for hearing of a fresh bail application, which was eventually successful.

    The development has continued to generate reactions online, with supporters of the activist celebrating the ruling while others await further legal proceedings.

  • Man Sentenced To Two Years In Prison Over False Death Post About Adekunle Gold’s Daughter

    A social media user identified as Samuel Adeboye Adeyeye, popularly known on X as Swanky_concept, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for spreading false information online about the daughter of Nigerian music stars Adekunle Gold and Simi.

    The sentencing followed a controversial post in which the user falsely claimed that the couple’s daughter, Deja, had died.

    False Post Triggered Outrage

    The misleading post, shared on X, quickly sparked reactions online after the user wrote:

    “My sincere condolences to the Adekunle family. Rip to Deja.”

    The post reportedly generated widespread outrage, with many social media users condemning the circulation of false and sensitive information involving a child.

    Authorities later moved against the suspect over the publication.

    Court Sentences Defendant

    According to reports, Samuel was arraigned before the court and eventually pleaded guilty to charges linked to spreading false information with malicious intent.

    He was subsequently sentenced on May 15 to two years imprisonment.

    The development has continued to generate conversations online, with many Nigerians debating the growing spread of misinformation and harmful content across social media platforms.

    Screenshot of the post

  • Kled AI Exits Nigeria, Imposes IP Ban Over Alleged 95% Fraud Rate

    A United States-based data marketplace, Kled AI, has withdrawn its app from Nigeria and imposed a nationwide IP ban following what it described as widespread and organised fraud among users.

    The company said the decision came after internal reviews revealed high levels of abuse that disrupted its operations.

    Company cites ‘95% fraudulent activity’

    Kled AI founder Avi Patel disclosed that about 95 per cent of user activity from Nigeria was found to be fraudulent.

    “We have removed Kled from the Nigerian app store and IP banned the entire region,” he said.

    The platform, launched in 2025, pays users to upload digital content such as photos and videos used to train artificial intelligence systems.

    Abuse of platform raises concerns

    According to the company, many users allegedly submitted black screens, duplicate files, internet-sourced images and AI-generated content instead of original data.

    The abuse, Patel said, made the platform ineffective for its intended purpose.

    He also alleged that some users bypassed identity checks by submitting fake documents, including altered foreign passports during verification processes.

    Comparison with other countries

    Kled AI noted that fraud rates in other markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines remained below 10 per cent despite larger user bases.

    The company said the contrast influenced its decision to suspend operations in Nigeria.

    Possible return not ruled out

    Despite the withdrawal, Patel indicated that the decision may not be permanent.

    He said the company could reconsider Nigeria if stronger fraud detection systems are developed to manage abuse at scale.

    Mixed reactions trail move

    The development has sparked reactions online, with some Nigerians acknowledging abuse of digital earning platforms, while others questioned the credibility of the claims.

    The incident adds to ongoing concerns about trust and credibility in Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.

  • EFCC Raises Alarm Over Cybercrime Surge, Says 6 in 10 Nigerian Students Involved in Fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised fresh concerns over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, with its Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, warning that the trend has reached alarming levels across campuses.

    Olukoyede said investigations by the commission suggest that as many as six out of every 10 students in Nigerian universities are engaged in internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo”. He described the situation as deeply troubling for the country’s education system and future workforce.

    EFCC Boss Speaks at Pro-Chancellors Conference in Kano

    The EFCC chairman made the disclosure at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, held in Kano. The event focused on “Unlocking the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence: University Governance, Internationalization and Rankings”.

    He told participants that findings from recent field operations and investigations show a widening pattern of cybercrime involvement among undergraduates. According to him, many of those arrested in recent operations were still students at various institutions.

    Olukoyede said the development reflects a broader breakdown in discipline and oversight within parts of the higher education system.

    “Disturbing Situation” as Students Allegedly Compromise System

    Describing the trend as a “sad development,” the EFCC boss said some students involved in cybercrime have gone as far as compromising academic structures. He alleged that in some cases, lecturers were placed on payrolls by fraud networks operating within campuses.

    He also pointed to a major operation in Lagos where 792 suspects linked to a transnational cybercrime syndicate were arrested. According to him, a significant number of those arrested were university students.

    Olukoyede said the operation, supported by artificial intelligence tools, exposed the scale and sophistication of cybercrime networks operating within and outside Nigeria.

    Rise of “Yahoo Plus” and Deepening Concerns

    The EFCC chairman also warned about the growing trend of “Yahoo Plus,” where internet fraud is allegedly combined with fetish practices. He said the development highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime and its increasing complexity among young people.

    He urged university authorities and governing councils to take urgent action to address the situation, including tighter institutional controls and stronger collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

    Call for AI-Driven Governance in Universities

    Olukoyede called on pro-chancellors to adopt artificial intelligence-driven systems to improve transparency, accountability, and financial management in universities. He noted that many institutions still rely on manual processes, making them vulnerable to fraud.

    He listed areas where AI could be deployed, including payroll management, procurement monitoring, fraud detection, and academic integrity systems. According to him, such tools can help identify suspicious transactions and irregular payments in real time.

    “A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a matter of national security,” he said.

    Technology, Security and Institutional Weaknesses

    The EFCC chairman stressed that while artificial intelligence can improve governance, it must work alongside human oversight and comply with existing laws such as data protection and procurement regulations. He also called for stronger investment in digital infrastructure, including broadband and cloud systems, to support modern governance tools.

    Olukoyede added that the EFCC has already deployed AI in areas such as digital forensics and financial tracking during investigations. However, he emphasised the need for broader capacity building in cybersecurity, machine learning, and digital governance across institutions.

    Rising Cybercrime Trend Sparks Fresh National Concern

    The EFCC warning adds to growing concerns about youth involvement in cybercrime and its impact on Nigeria’s education system and global reputation. While enforcement actions continue, officials say stronger institutional reforms and technology-driven oversight may be necessary to address the scale of the challenge.

    Authorities are expected to deepen collaboration between universities, regulatory bodies, and anti-corruption agencies as pressure mounts to curb the rising trend of internet fraud among students.