Police arrest suspected cyber criminal in Rivers

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) through their National Cybercrime Forensic and Intelligence Assets has arrested a cybercrime kingpin who specializes in defrauding unsuspecting persons both within and outside Nigeria.

It was learnt that the suspect, identified as George Gift Ikata, 21, resides in Iwofe, Rivers State, and is an indigene of Abua local government area of the state.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) through the National Central Bureau (NCB) of the Force received a message from the Hungary Police on the 15th of July 2022.

“The intelligence enumerated the activities of a suspected fraudulent platform called “AMC Stock Experts” and how the said platform had succeeded in defrauding unsuspecting members of the global Cyber Community to the tune of thousands of dollars.

“Upon the receipt of this intelligence, Seasoned Cybercrime Forensic and Intelligence Assets under the supervision of DCP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, the Director NCCC, were deployed on the Case.

“The painstaking effort of the team led to the arrest of one George Gift Ikata, a 21-year-old male indigene of Abua Local Government Area in Rivers state.

“The suspect who resides in Iwofe Rivers state voluntarily elected in a written statement to have created the said platform for fraudulent purposes.

“While effort has been intensified to apprehend other members and affiliates of this criminal venture, the Inspector-General of Police wishes to urge the entire Cyber community and internet users, in general, to be weary of phantom and unverified investment platforms and schemes.

“He said that in the eventuality of a fraud, members of the public should quickly take advantage of the e-reporting portal of the Police; https://incb.npfgovng to register their complaints for immediate intervention.

“Meanwhile, investigation continues and emerging developments will be communicated subsequently.”