Police Arrest ‘Navy Officer’ for Cyber Fraud

The Yobe State Police Command has apprehended Ahugu Joshua, a 29-year-old man from Keffi Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, for impersonating a Nigerian Navy officer and committing cyber fraud. Joshua was accused of using fake bank receipts to defraud Point of Sale (POS) vendors and provision store owners by making it appear that non-existent transactions had been completed.

The arrest followed a covert operation by the State Intelligence Department (SID) on December 18, 2024. According to police spokesperson DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Joshua was caught in possession of a fraudulent Nigerian Navy staff ID card, which he used to gain the trust of his victims. The police described the arrest as a significant step in their ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and fraud in the state.

Investigations revealed that Joshua’s tactics included completing a small, legitimate transaction to build trust with his victims. He would then manipulate digital receipts on his Kuda bank app, creating delays in transaction alerts and making it seem as though payments had been successfully completed. This enabled him to abscond with money or goods from unsuspecting vendors.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, emphasized the need for the public to exercise caution when dealing with financial transactions. He advised citizens to verify the authenticity of receipts and credentials, particularly when dealing with individuals claiming to represent reputable organizations.

“Stay informed and vigilant. Always report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” CP Ahmed urged.