‘Navy Officer’ Arrested For Cybercrime
Ahugu Joshua, a 29-year-old man from Keffi LGA, Nasarawa State, has been arrested by the Yobe State Police for posing as a Nigerian Navy officer and defrauding victims.
Joshua specialised in using fake receipts on his Kuda bank app to trick POS vendors and provision store owners into believing non-existent transactions had been completed.
The police in a statement on Thursday said the arrest occurred during a covert operation by the State Intelligence Department (SID) on December 18, 2024. Joshua was found with a fraudulent Nigerian Navy staff ID card, which he used to gain the trust of his victims.
“Yobe State Police Command has made another significant breakthrough in combating cybercrime and fraud in the state. In a covert operation on December 18, 2024, at 1400hrs, the State Intelligence Department (SID) apprehended Agugu Joshua, 29, of High Court Gizza Plaza, Keffi LGA of Nasarawa state,” the police spokesperson, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, stated.
Joshua’s method involved initially completing a small, legitimate transaction to build trust with his victims. He would then edit the receipt, delaying the transaction alert, which enabled him to deceive his victims and acquire their money or goods.
“Agugu was found in possession of a fake Nigerian Navy staff ID card, which he used to scam unsuspecting victims, particularly POS vendors and provision store owners.
His modus operandi involved generating fake receipts on his Kuda bank app, making it seem like transactions were successful, even when they weren’t,” Abdulkarim added.
In response to the increasing number of scams, the Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, urged the public to remain vigilant.
“Remember to verify transactions and receipts, and never trust someone who claims to be from a reputable organisation without proper identification,” he warned.
“Stay informed and stay safe, report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.”
