The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Rabiu Aliyu Salisu for allegedly defrauding a US citizen, Deborah Woods, of $597,000 via identity theft and cyber fraud.
During a press briefing on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi stated that Salisu had illegally adopted the identity of an American citizen, Matthew Ramsey, in order to carry out the scheme.
Adejobi further revealed that two additional suspects, Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar, were arrested for allegedly opening false accounts to conduct fraud totaling ₦400 million.
The duo reportedly created Moniepoint profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses.
They then distributed these accounts to accomplices across different states for fraudulent Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, enabling them to obtain bank verification numbers, BVNs and personal details from unsuspecting victims.
“Upon completion of the KYC process, the suspects would change the passwords to secure the accounts for their unknown foreign contractor,” Adejobi explained.
