Two Nigerians have been recognized by the Main Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Company (MOCA) because the masterminds behind an try and defraud the Nationwide Water Fee (NWC) of over $1 million.
The lads, residents of Lekki Part 1, Lagos, Nigeria, had been apprehended following a collaborative investigation between MOCA, US federal regulation enforcement, and Nigerian authorities.
Main Basil Jarrett, director of communications at MOCA, revealed that the company was alerted by the NWC in August 2023 a couple of enterprise e mail compromise that had illicitly rerouted funds to the criminals.
“In response, MOCA, in collaboration with its US federal regulation enforcement companions, launched an intensive, worldwide cyber investigation into the assault, ensuing within the monies being frozen and in the end, nearly all of it being returned,” Jarrett said in a latest launch.
“This end result not solely highlights the resilience and preparedness of our cybersecurity defenses but in addition underscores the crucial significance of worldwide cooperation in addressing cyber threats.”
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MOCA’s investigation into the cyber-attack led to the identification of a global cyber risk actor in Nigeria. This prompted additional cooperation, culminating in a search warrant executed by Nigerian authorities, who finally positioned and detained the 2 people in Lagos.
“These arrests are a transparent indicator of the energy of our cyber investigation capabilities and the significance of our ongoing collaborations throughout borders,” Jarrett famous. “However they’re additionally a reminder that cyber-attacks are a continuing risk on this digital age, with hundreds of thousands of makes an attempt being carried out yearly. It’s crucial, due to this fact, that we stay vigilant by having sturdy cybersecurity techniques in place.”
MOCA additionally counseled the NWC for its immediate detection and notification, which not solely knowledgeable the company of the assault but in addition enabled well timed intervention.
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The investigation is ongoing, as authorities suspect extra people could also be concerned within the refined cyber fraud scheme, in keeping with the discharge.