Delta State Police arrest 123 suspects during a raid on a notorious cybercrime school in Warri. Lured by promises of BTC trading and Forex, some as young as 17 were trained in hacking Facebook account
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Delta State Police Command has arrested 123 suspected internet fraudsters in a raid on a well-known estate in Warri, Delta State. This operation is part of a larger effort to dismantle "Hustlers Kingdom" (HK), a notorious training ground for aspiring cybercriminals.
The Delta Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, revealed in a video posted on X.com that the suspects, some as young as 17, were lured to the estate with promises of learning cryptocurrency trading and Forex. Once there, they found themselves entangled in a sophisticated scam that exploits vulnerable young people.
Deceptive Tactics
Edafe explained that the suspects were deceived by agents who flaunted fake wealth on social media, enticing teenagers and young adults from across Nigeria. These agents, posing as successful traders, promised to teach them the ropes of Bitcoin and Forex trading but instead subjected them to abuse and manipulation.
“Their modus operandi is to engage their agents to flaunt wealth that most times isn’t even theirs. They convince unsuspecting boys, some from places like Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, and Ibadan, to join the scheme,” Edafe said. These young recruits were often beaten and starved, adding to the exploitation they faced.
Inside 'Hustlers Kingdom'
One of the young boys arrested during the raid shared his experience, revealing that he was lured into the operation by a friend about a month ago. According to him, they were fed sparingly and allowed to sleep only between 5 PM and 9 PM.
After that, they would be forced to work all night until daybreak. When asked about the kind of work they were involved in, he explained that they were taught how to hack Facebook accounts, a key aspect of the cybercrime training at the school.
Previous Raids and Growing Concerns
This raid is not an isolated incident. The police’s efforts follow a prior operation by military personnel from the 3 Battalion Nigerian Army Barracks. In that earlier raid, over 100 suspects were arrested at the same location.
"Hustlers Kingdom," situated within the Army Estate, Effurun, has become infamous for its role as a cybercrime training center. The suspects arrested in these operations have been handed over to the police for further investigation and will soon face charges in court.
Call for Parental Vigilance
The Delta Police have expressed concern over the increasing number of young people involved in cybercrime, urging parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children's activities. “Many of these boys are only 17 or 18 years old, deceived by promises of quick wealth,” Edafe emphasized.
With the suspects now facing legal prosecution, this case highlights the growing cybercrime problem in Nigeria and the need for community awareness and law enforcement efforts to curb the recruitment of vulnerable youth into illegal activities.