Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected international fraudster accused of impersonating a World Bank official and orchestrating a sophisticated cross-border scam that defrauded victims of $250,000, in what authorities describe as a major breakthrough in the fight against cyber-enabled financial crimes.
The arrest, carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, forms part of a wider crackdown on cybercrime networks targeting both foreign and domestic victims. The operation was conducted under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Police identified the primary suspect as Agbor Martins Black-Diamond, also known as Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins. Investigators allege that he posed as a representative of the World Bank and deceived victims—primarily from Kenya—into believing they could access international donor funding through his facilitation.
According to the police, the suspect convinced the victims to pay various registration and administrative fees over a period spanning three years. Authorities said the victims, relying on the credibility associated with the World Bank, transferred a cumulative sum of $250,000 in the belief that they were securing access to development funds.
Preliminary investigations revealed that no such funding existed. Instead, the suspect allegedly constructed an elaborate scheme to sustain the deception, including organizing fake symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa to reinforce the illusion of legitimacy and progress.
In a particularly alarming development, police disclosed that in 2024, the suspect persuaded some victims to secure a bank loan using family property as collateral. This was done under the pretense of unlocking an $850,000 empowerment fund purportedly based in Ghana. Authorities confirmed that the promised fund was entirely fictitious.
Financial tracking by investigators identified confirmed inflows of $57,975 between February and July 2023, with further transactions still under review. The suspect was eventually apprehended on March 31, 2026, following months of surveillance and forensic investigation.
Police also uncovered that the suspect operated under the guise of a non-governmental organization named Black Diamond African Beauty Restoration Foundation, which authorities confirmed was not registered in Nigeria. In an apparent attempt to legitimize his operations, he later registered a corporate entity, United African Continent Limited, in November 2024.
Beyond the international fraud, investigators revealed that the suspect extended his activities to local communities. In Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, he allegedly collected ₦50,000 from individual farmers, promising empowerment programs and capacity-building initiatives that never materialized.
Authorities say the case highlights the evolving nature of fraud schemes, particularly those leveraging the names of reputable international institutions to exploit trust and credibility. The use of cross-border tactics, combined with staged events and fabricated documentation, underscores the increasing sophistication of such operations.
The police emphasized that the arrest was part of a broader enforcement effort that also led to the apprehension of additional suspects linked to cybercrime and financial fraud across Nigeria.
In a separate but related case, operatives arrested Chinedu Mbachu, a former employee of a company based in Makurdi, on allegations of unauthorized system modification, cybersquatting, and diversion of company funds. According to investigators, Mbachu exploited his access to internal systems to redirect customer payments into personal bank accounts.
He reportedly admitted to the offense during interrogation, and items recovered from him include a Samsung A6 Plus mobile phone and identification documents. Authorities are continuing to analyze financial records to determine the full extent of the misappropriated funds.
In another operation, police arrested two suspects identified as Ayodele Daramola, 31, and Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi, 29, over their alleged involvement in a business email compromise scheme and large-scale financial fraud.
Investigations revealed that between May and December 2025, the duo allegedly diverted a total of ₦85 million from a company by manipulating internal financial systems. According to the police, the funds were funneled through a commercial bank account linked to Oluwatobi.
Further analysis showed that Oluwatobi retained approximately 21 percent of the proceeds—about ₦17.85 million—while transferring the remaining 79 percent, roughly ₦67.15 million, to an account associated with Daramola. Authorities said subsequent findings indicated that a significant portion of the funds, estimated at ₦61 million, was spent on online gambling and betting platforms.
Recovered items from the suspects include ₦4 million in cash, an unserviceable Lexus ES350 vehicle, a Dell laptop, and an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Investigators are working to trace and recover the remaining funds while preparing charges against all individuals involved.
Law enforcement officials say the coordinated arrests reflect an intensified strategy to combat cybercrime, which continues to pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s financial systems and international reputation. The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has been at the forefront of these efforts, employing digital forensics, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration to dismantle criminal networks.
In its statement, the police reiterated that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for cybercriminals, warning that individuals exploiting technology, institutional systems, or cross-border partnerships for fraudulent purposes will be pursued and brought to justice.
Security experts note that cases such as this demonstrate both the scale and complexity of modern cybercrime, where perpetrators often operate across jurisdictions and rely on digital tools to evade detection. They stress the importance of international cooperation, particularly in cases involving foreign victims and financial flows that cross national boundaries.
The police have urged members of the public, both within Nigeria and abroad, to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or organizations claiming access to international funding or investment opportunities. Verification through official channels remains a critical safeguard against falling victim to such schemes.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to expand their inquiries into possible accomplices and related networks, with a focus on ensuring accountability and preventing future occurrences.
The latest developments signal a continued commitment by Nigerian law enforcement agencies to tackle cybercrime and restore confidence in the country’s digital and financial ecosystem, even as the methods employed by fraudsters grow increasingly sophisticated.
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