Reported by: Althiea .P | Edited by: Bornet .k
Six suspected Nigerian fraudsters accused of operating an online scam network targeting victims in the United Kingdom and other countries have been arrested in Asaba, Delta State, following a joint investigation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and technology company Meta.
The suspects, whose ages range between 20 and 34 years, were arrested on Saturday, 4 July 2026, during an intelligence-led operation in Asaba. Police said the arrests followed information provided through international cooperation aimed at disrupting cross-border cybercrime activities.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly operated a fraudulent online scheme in which they impersonated internationally recognised celebrities to deceive victims and obtain money from individuals across different countries, including the UK.
During the operation, security operatives reportedly recovered 11 mobile phones, one laptop, one tablet and a Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV believed to have been linked to the alleged criminal activities. The recovered items are expected to form part of the evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The National Crime Agency, working with Meta, provided intelligence that assisted Nigerian authorities in identifying the suspects and locating the alleged fraud operation. The collaboration is part of broader efforts by international law enforcement agencies to combat cyber-enabled fraud and protect victims targeted through online platforms.
The arrests came shortly after Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency on Monday, 13 July 2026, where he met with senior officials to strengthen cooperation between Nigerian and UK authorities in tackling fraud and other forms of transnational crime.
Speaking on the development, Nick Sharp, the NCA’s Deputy Director of Fraud, said the arrests demonstrated that online fraud was a global problem requiring cooperation between countries and private technology companies.
He said criminals increasingly exploit digital platforms to target victims beyond their national borders, adding that collaboration between law enforcement agencies and technology companies remained essential in bringing offenders to justice.
The NCA official also highlighted the importance of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed between the UK and Nigeria in April 2025, which focuses on cooperation against transnational cybercrime, fraud and financial crimes.
Authorities said online scams can cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims, with some individuals losing substantial amounts of money after being deceived through false identities, fake relationships or impersonation schemes.
The Nigerian Police Force said investigations into the activities of the arrested suspects are ongoing, and they are expected to face prosecution if sufficient evidence is established against them.
The latest arrests underline increasing efforts by Nigerian and international agencies to tackle cybercrime networks operating across borders, as criminals continue to use digital platforms to target victims worldwide.
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