Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Special Fraud Unit have arrested three suspects in connection with an alleged cyber blackmail and extortion scheme involving a demand of N10m from a Lagos-based woman.
The suspects, comprising two men and a woman, were apprehended after the victim submitted a formal petition to the police, alleging that she was being threatened with the release of her private photographs unless she paid the demanded sum.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Special Fraud Unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the victim had been subjected to persistent calls and messages demanding money.
According to Ewhubare, the woman, acting out of fear and emotional distress, made several monetary transfers to the suspects before the situation escalated.
He said the matter was brought to the attention of the police when the suspects allegedly demanded an additional N10m, prompting the complainant to seek intervention.
“Following the receipt of the petition, the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, CP Kayode Ojapinwa, directed an immediate investigation into the allegations,” Ewhubare stated.
Police investigations, he said, led to the arrest of the three suspects and revealed the modus operandi of the syndicate.
Findings showed that one of the suspects allegedly gained unauthorised access to the complainant’s mobile phone and transferred her private images to his device, after which he conspired with the others to extort money from her in instalments.
Ewhubare added that the suspects also worked with other accomplices who are currently at large.
The police spokesperson said the suspects remained in custody and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover the proceeds of the alleged crime.
Ewhubare further said CP Ojapinwa reiterated the unit’s resolve to clamp down on cyber-enabled crimes and urged members of the public to be vigilant with their personal data.
The police also advised citizens to promptly report cases of cyber harassment or digital exploitation to law enforcement authorities.