In a fight against cyber crime, Nigerian authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos State apprehended a suspected international fraudster, Abraham Akpojisheri, on June 24, 2025. The suspect, who was intercepted by the diligent Aviation Security team, was discovered to be carrying a staggering 783 MTN SIM cards. His arrest took place just moments before he was set to board a domestic flight to Asaba.
CSP Daramola Kazeem, the Police Public Relations Officer at the Airport Police Command, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on June 26. He disclosed that Akpojisheri, a 29-year-old from Delta State, had previously traveled to South Africa in early February 2025. Upon returning to Nigeria, he was flagged by security operatives due to the unusual number of SIM cards in his possession.
Upon interrogation, Akpojisheri admitted his involvement in a nefarious international syndicate engaged in identity theft and large-scale internet fraud. His modus operandi reportedly included using Facebook to connect with victims, wherein he would create multiple fraudulent profiles using stolen identities and photos to deceive unsuspecting individuals. The suspect allegedly lured victims into investing in fictitious foreign exchange (forex) ventures, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Further investigation revealed that Akpojisheri procured the SIM cards specifically for the purpose of effectively masking his identity while committing online fraud. He was allegedly using these cards to facilitate hacking attempts aimed at accessing sensitive information from victims’ bank accounts globally, aiming to exploit the financial data of unsuspecting individuals.
It was determined that Akpojisheri had already scammed at least ten victims from the United States, reaping tens of thousands of dollars from his devious schemes. The investigation has sparked increased vigilance among Nigeria’s aviation security and law enforcement agencies in addressing the growing threat of cybercrime.
According to the statement. “It was a synergy among inter agencies at work in the Airport when one Abraham Akpojisheri ‘m’ aged 29 of Villa, Abraka Delta state was arrested by eagle eye Aviation Security at the local wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, 2 Ikeja Lagos on June 24, 2025 and was promptly handed over to the airport police,”
“The suspect who came into Nigeria through MMIA with TAG Angola airline on 24/06/25 with Seven Hundred and Eighty Three (783) MTN SIM cards allegedly brought in from South Africa where he travelled to sometimes in February, 2025, was billed to board local flight to Asaba same day from MM2.
“The Airport Commissioner of Police, CP Olufunke Adeayo Ogunbode mnips, PhD upon taking over the case directed a special unit savvy with technology wherewithal to unravel the motive behind the suspect action for having such number of SIM cards with him coming from abroad after the botched boarding of flight to Asaba by Aviation Security (AVSEC).
“During investigation and upon presentation of unassailable facts as unearthed with technology by the assemblage of the newly invigorated team, the suspect confessed to belong to a syndicate of Internet and identity theft fraudster who specializes in stealing people’s identities and pictures to create profiles online with intent to defraud their victims by impersonation.
“In his confessional statement, he stated that the 783 MTN SIM cards were bought in South Africa for the purpose of hacking CARD EAS of people’s account across the globe.
“It was discovered that he uses Facebook as his means of contact with his victims and has created about 7-8 different emails with different foreign names and numbers telling his victims to invest on forex trade and that he is a Forex trader.
“Findings revealed that he has scammed ten (10) victims from America alone raking in tens of thousands of dollars.
“He said he did all these with collaboration of one of his friends called Okiemute who is based in Ukraine and who also trained him how to scam and hack people’s accounts.
“Preliminary investigation has shown that he has criminal conspiracy cells in Ukraine, South Africa and Nigeria.
“The suspect is billed to be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation while effort is being intensified to arrest his accomplices.”
In light of the recent developments, the Airport’s Commissioner of Police, CP Olufunke Adeayo Ogunbode, has established a specialized unit equipped with the technological expertise to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s fraudulent operations. The team is focused on determining the motives behind the possession of such a large quantity of SIM cards and tracing any further links to broader international fraud networks.
The swift action taken by the Nigerian security agencies at the airport has been praised by the public and serves as a deterrent to those contemplating similar criminal pursuits, underscoring the commitment to enhancing airport security and protecting citizens from cyber threats.
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