Connect with us


BIG STORY

France-Based Nigerian Travels To Lagos, Leads Cyber-Attacks On 10 Banks

Published

on

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos State on Wednesday said it arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting cyberattacks on 10 banks in the state.

SP Eyitayo Johnson, the spokesperson for the unit, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Nneka Anyasinti, while acting on intelligence received from a leading new generation bank, on March 30, 2022, arrested the suspects.

Johnson said the suspects were in the final stages of recruiting a worker from the information and technology department of one of the banks in order to perfect the hacking of the banks’ network/posting application with the intent to pull out huge sums of money.

He noted that the suspects were arrested with incriminating exhibits during a meeting held with the bank worker they attempted to recruit, adding that the fourth suspect, Chibuzor Holland, who flew into the country from France specifically for the operation, escaped.

He said, “The arrested members of the syndicate include Kehinde Oladimeji, 52, the mastermind; Olanrewaju Adeshina, 47; and Kolapo Abiodun, 42. Kolapo Abiodun is an ex-staff of the bank attached to the infotech department. He contacted and attempted to recruit a current worker of the bank’s infotech department with an offer of N200m and a visa out of Nigeria.

“The worker was asked to leave critical gateways open on the bank’s server for the syndicate to gain unauthorized access into the network and move money out using Python application and Zoom. After the arrests, forensic analysis of phones and electronic devices found in their possession disclosed a list of 10 other banks already earmarked to be hacked using a similar method once the first attack is successful.

“Operatives also discovered personal and corporate bank account details in the possession of the syndicate which they ought not to have. The case, charge no. FHC/L/238C/2022, is currently being prosecuted before Honourable Justice P.O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, while effort is in top gear to apprehend Chibuzor Holland.”

In a related development, the police unit confirmed the arrest of the Managing Director of Beedel Strategic Investment Co. Nigeria Limited, Moses Odeleye, over a fraud of N816m.

The PSFU spokesperson, Johnson, said a discrete investigation by the unit’s operatives led to Odeleye’s arrest on May 24, 2022.

He noted that Odeleye was arrested in connection with the forgery of 11 local purchase orders of five multinational companies operating in Nigeria and one agency of the Federal Government.

Johnson stated that the suspect (Odeleye) paraded himself on social media as a successful contractor with an interest in civil engineering, construction, real estate and supply, and importation of heavy engineering equipment.

He said, “Beedel (Odeleye), as the suspect is popularly known, operates in connivance with former and current procurement staff of the companies whose LPOs were used to perpetuate the fraud.

“He forged the LPOs of these companies/government agencies and approached numerous banks and investment companies with proposals to finance the LPOs, which he cleverly tenured to be paid between 30 and 60 days so as to make the LPO financing appear juicy.

“The suspect, using this modus operandi, was able to fraudulently obtain the sum of N816m from two finance companies and diverted same to fund extravagant lifestyles, which includes building a mansion, office complex, and purchase of exotic automobiles.

“Investigation revealed that for over eight years, Beedel mastered the art of using cloned LPOs to consecutively secure huge sums via LPO financing from different banks/finance companies, while using monies from one bank/finance company to settle his commitments to another bank/finance company, to maintain the fraudulent cycle of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“Beedel circumvented due diligence done by some of the banks/finance companies with the inputs of procurement staff of the companies whose LPOs were forged. These procurement staff conspired with the suspect to confirm invalid LPOs to third parties. The suspect will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”

Meanwhile, Johnson said on April 15, 2022, the police unit was alerted to the risk and possible hack of the server of a non-interest financial institution located in Lagos State.

He said an investigation by operatives attached to the Banking and Informal Financial Fraud Section of the PSFU revealed that between 3.45 am and 4.55 am on March 9, 2022, there was an unauthorized modification of the profile of certain key staffers of the bank, which was done remotely.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify the persons responsible for the hack, while some of the staff initially alleged, have been exonerated,” he added.

BIG STORY

BON 2024: Madam Saje, Kanayo O Kanayo Set To Bag Lifetime Achievement Awards

Published

on

With the Kwara State government set to host the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on November 24, esteemed actors, Fausat Balogun, popular as Madam Saje, and Kanayo O Kanayo are poised to recieve the Best of Nollywood Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024.

The announcement was made by Seun Oloketuyi, founder, BON Awards, earlier in the week.

With the announcement the duo are set to join other Nollywood greats in the league of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. On this list are people like Adebayo Salami, Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo, and others.

While speaking about the duo, Oloketuyi explained that there was a need to start celebrating film heroes in their lifetime, when they can enjoy the accolades.

He said , “Why must we wait till our film heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but its better the recipient is alive to recieve awards.”

Also weighing in, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Producer BON Awards revealed that the choice of Kanayo and Madam Saje were not made lightly.

“These two are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and they still maintained their stand in the industry. They deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why we have chosen them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

The 2024 edition of the BON Awards is billed to hold at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, the state’s latest hub for filmmakers.

Oloketuyi had earlier expressed excitement about Kwara’s role as host, promising a fulfilling experience for the expected 500 Nollywood stars attending.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had also highlighted the studio’s potential to elevate Nigerian cinematography and promote local talent. The event underscores Kwara’s commitment to becoming a leading destination in the creative industry, fostering growth and investment in the sector.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Prison Officers Involved In Bobrisky Bribery Allegations Will Face Prosecution — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

Published

on

The Federal Government on Friday assured that all individuals implicated in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser “Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky,” will be prosecuted.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, commemorating his first year in office.

Earlier, the minister had launched a comprehensive investigation into accusations of bribery and corruption within the “Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).”

This came after reports emerged that “Bobrisky,” who had been sentenced to prison earlier in the year, had not served his sentence within the correctional facility.

As the investigation progressed, the Nigerian Government, through the “Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board,” suspended several senior prison service officers on Thursday, “September 26, 2024.”

The officers suspended include “Michael Anugwa,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) responsible for the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; “Sikiru Adekunle,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and “ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna,” stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who was accused of escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.

Another officer, “Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) managing the MSCC in Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly accepting payments on behalf of an inmate.

In addressing the unfolding bribery and corruption scandal, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo” called on Nigerians to remain patient during the investigation, assuring the public that all involved would be held accountable.

“We will not spare anyone, regardless of their status. The investigation is ongoing, but rest assured that no one will be shielded or protected,” the minister asserted.

He further clarified that the investigation went beyond the allegations linked to “Bobrisky,” noting that of the four suspended officers, only two were connected to the “Bobrisky” case. “This process will continue; it doesn’t end here,” he added.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo” expressed his trust in the integrity of the committee members leading the investigation, encouraging the public to have confidence in their work.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

UPDATE: US Company Costco Denies Selling Baby Oil To Diddy

Published

on

American wholesale corporation, Costco, has denied selling “baby oil” to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

The federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.

In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” because he buys them in bulk from Costco.

Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell “baby oil.”

“None of the company’s US locations carry ‘baby oil,'” Costco told TMZ.

Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.

However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular