Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a 20-year-old Nigerian at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, over his alleged involvement in large-scale fraud targeting victims in the United States. The police said the fraud is estimated to have caused losses of more than one billion naira.
The suspect was arrested by officers of the Anti-Fraud Unit of the Airport Police Command while he was attempting to travel out of Lagos. His arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammed Adeola.
According to the police, the arrest followed several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. ASP Adeola said the suspect was tracked based on credible information that linked him to multiple transnational fraud operations involving foreign victims, especially in the United States.
He explained that intelligence reports showed the suspect had been actively involved in online fraud schemes that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims abroad, using deception and false identities to obtain large sums of money.
Police investigations revealed that the suspect previously lived in Calabar, Cross River State, before relocating to Lagos on February 23, 2024. From Lagos, he allegedly coordinated and carried out several fraudulent schemes aimed at victims in the United States.
According to the police statement, the suspect used online platforms and digital tools to communicate with his victims, making it difficult for them to immediately detect the fraud. He allegedly operated alone and also worked with other unknown collaborators who are now being investigated.
The police said his activities came to the attention of law enforcement agencies after complaints were received from foreign partners and intelligence units monitoring cybercrime and financial fraud.
One of the major cases linked to the suspect involves a 47-year-old American woman who was allegedly deceived into transferring the sum of one million dollars in 2024. The money was said to have been sent under the false belief that it was being used to purchase property in Florida for an orphanage.
According to the police, the suspect presented the deal as a humanitarian project, appealing to the emotions and goodwill of the victim. Investigations later showed that no such orphanage or property purchase existed.
The funds were allegedly obtained through a cryptocurrency investment scheme known as “BullRun 2.0,” which was formerly referred to as “4 Way Mirror Money.” The police said the scheme was designed to look like a legitimate investment platform but was actually used to divert funds to accounts controlled by the suspect and his associates.
In another case, the suspect was accused of defrauding a 70-year-old woman in the United States of 18,000 dollars, which is equivalent to about N26 million. The victim was reportedly convinced to part with her money through false promises and misleading information.
ASP Adeola said the suspect used several methods to carry out the fraud. One of the tactics involved persuading victims to purchase gift cards, expensive mobile phones and computer equipment.
“These items were then shipped to Nigeria at the suspect’s instruction,” Adeola said.
The police added that the suspect allegedly impersonated a 60-year-old orthopedic surgeon who claimed to be affiliated with the United Nations and working in Nigeria. Using this false identity, he told his victims that the devices were needed to maintain secure communication channels due to the sensitive nature of his work.
By posing as a respected medical professional with international connections, the suspect was able to gain the trust of his victims and convince them to send money and valuable items.
During the arrest, police operatives recovered several high-value electronic devices believed to have been used in carrying out the fraudulent activities. The items include a 14-inch MacBook Pro, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, two Google Pixel 10 Pro XL phones and one Google Pixel 10 Pro phone.
According to the police, the total estimated value of the recovered items is N8,141,367. These devices are expected to serve as key exhibits in the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Airport Command, Mrs Olufunke Ogunbode, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to preventing criminals from using airports as escape routes.
She stressed the importance of intelligence-driven policing and cooperation with both local and international partners in tackling transnational crimes.
“Our airports will not be safe havens for criminals,” Ogunbode said. “We are committed to using intelligence, technology and professional investigation to track and arrest those involved in fraud and other serious crimes.”
She added that the arrest sends a strong message to fraudsters who believe they can evade the law by travelling out of the country.
ASP Adeola confirmed that the suspect and the case file have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for further investigation.
The SFU is a specialised unit responsible for handling complex financial crimes, cyber fraud and transnational criminal cases. The unit is expected to deepen the investigation, identify other suspects involved and recover more proceeds of the alleged crimes.
Adeola said the suspect would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The arrest comes amid growing concern over cybercrime and online fraud involving Nigerians. In recent years, Nigerian law enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts to combat internet fraud, commonly referred to as “yahoo-yahoo,” which has damaged the country’s image internationally.
The Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies have continued to work with international partners to track and prosecute suspects involved in cross-border fraud.
The police have advised members of the public, especially foreign nationals, to be cautious when engaging in online transactions or responding to unsolicited investment offers.
As investigations continue, the arrest of the 20-year-old suspect highlights the ongoing efforts by the police to curb transnational fraud and protect Nigeria’s airports from being used by criminal elements.
For now, the suspect remains in custody as the law takes its course.