Police Smash Alleged Cyber Fraud Syndicate In Katsina, Recover ₦22m, Luxury Cars, Fake IDs

By Abdulrahman Dan-Umar, Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its crackdown on cybercrime and financial fraud with the dismantling of a suspected fraud syndicate, leading to the arrest of five suspects, recovering luxury vehicles, fake identity documents, and also, securing the freezing of ₦22 million believed to be proceeds of crime.

The operation followed a petition received on October 27, 2026, from Nasir Dan-Rimi, who alleged that Ahmed Abdulhakim, 23, disappeared after receiving ₦10 million to conclude a financial transaction on his behalf.

However, police investigations took an unexpected twist after detectives arrested Ahmed, who allegedly confessed that both he and the complainant were members of a cyber fraud network involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through fraudulent bank transactions.

Acting on the confession, detectives stormed the syndicate’s operational base at a local hotel, where they arrested Abdulrahman Abdullahi, popularly known as “Khaila,” and Mustapha Ayuba, both aged 24.

Investigators said the suspects had lodged in the hotel for an extended period, allegedly using the facility as a command centre for their criminal operations.

The Assistant Manager of the hotel, Fahad Ahmad, was also arrested for allegedly harbouring the suspects by repeatedly relocating them between rooms to frustrate police surveillance and shielding them from arrest.

Further investigations exposed what police described as an elaborate identity fraud network. Ahmed was found to possess three different BVNs and NINs linked to 13 bank accounts, while Abdulrahman and Mustapha each allegedly operated six bank accounts using three separate BVNs and NINs, all registered under false identities.

The suspects also allegedly implicated Saifullahi Idris and Umar Faruq Bala, who were arrested for producing fake BVN and NIN documents used by the syndicate. Police said all the suspects confessed to their respective roles during interrogation.

Recovered exhibits include a Peugeot 206, a Mercedes-Benz C300, Samsung Fold, Redmi, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 mobile phones, ₦2 million in cash, multiple fake NIN cards, fraudulent BVN documents, ATM cards, SIM cards, and SIM packs allegedly used to facilitate the criminal activities.

The Command also secured court-approved freezes on bank accounts containing ₦19 million and ₦3 million, bringing the total amount frozen to ₦22 million.

Investigators further identified the original complainant, Aminu Nasir Dan-Rimi, alongside Surajo Sani Muhammad, as the alleged ringleaders of the syndicate. Both suspects remain at large, while efforts have been intensified to track and apprehend them.

Commending the detectives for their professionalism and diligence, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating cybercrime, financial fraud, and other criminal activities across Katsina State.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, the Commissioner warned hotel owners and managers against providing refuge for criminal elements, stressing that anyone found aiding or concealing suspects would face the full weight of the law.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, financial transactions, or activities to security agencies, emphasizing that public cooperation remains crucial in the fight against cyber and financial crimes.