Hushpuppi, Woodberry planning $435m cyber heist before arrest

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Dubai Police said Hushpuppi and his gang were planning a $435million cyber fraud on a global scale, before they were busted.

Al Jallaf told Gulf Today, that the simultaneous raids of Hushpuppi and his gang yielded incriminating documents, which have since been confiscated.

Both Gulf Today and UAE National published salacious details of the arrests of the 12-man gang of fraudsters, led by Raymond Igbalode Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi.

Also arrested with him was Olalekan Jacob Ponle aka “Woodberry”, along with ten other cybercriminals in a special operation.

Here is the story as published by Golf Today:

Hushpuppi as booked by Dubai police

Dubbed “Fox Hunt 2”, the operation took down the suspects for committing crimes outside the UAE, including money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonating, scamming individuals, banking fraud and identity theft.

Lt. General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, said the arrest of ‘Hushpuppi’, ‘Woodberry’ and ten gang members involved in money laundering and cyber fraud activities, is another achievement added to the proud record of Dubai police in ensuring the emirate’s security and safety as well as preserving people’s money and property.

“Similar to operation ‘Fox Hunt 1’ that took down an African gang of nine online scammers last February, Op ‘Fox Hunt 2’ is another painful hit to cybercriminals who try to mess with the world’s security and safety,” he said.

Hushpuppi when he was busted by Dubai Police

Al Marri further reaffirmed the force’s commitment to foiling cyber fraud and online scams using the latest technology.

“As criminals constantly change their criminal methods, Dubai Police work tirelessly to qualify elites of officers and employees specialised in facilitating the latest technologies to tackle emerging and transnational organised crime,” he said.

The commander-in-chief of Dubai Police also praised the tremendous efforts made by the force’s teams who arrested the suspects and mastered the use of modern technologies.

The director of Dubai CID said the raid resulted in confiscating incriminating documents of a planned fraud on a global scale worth AED 1.6 billion ($ 435 million).

“The team also seized more than Dhs150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an estimated value of Dhs25 million ($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21 computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims”, he said.

After conducting further investigations and analysing confiscated electronic devices, Dubai Police investigators uncovered sensitive information mined by the suspects on individuals and companies overseas including bank accounts and fake credit cards as well as documents and files condemning the gangs’ illegal activities.

Synchronised Raids

According to Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, the suspects were caught in a series of synchronised raids by six SWAT teams from Dubai Police.

“The operation was carried out in a highly professional manner in terms of planning and execution as well as setting a zero hour to take down all gang members in the same time,” Al Mansouri said.

Al Mansouri said the operation foiled the gang’s bid to deceive many people from around the world and steal their money.

He also lauded the efforts of the task force assigned to the case.

“The investigation teams at Dubai Police have done a great job in utilising AI-based technologies, including the Criminal Data Analysis Centre at Dubai Police, to track down the cyber fraudsters,” Al Mansouri said.

Revealing the operation’s details, Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Dubai Police, said that upon receiving the security intel about an African gang involved in money-laundering and cyber fraud, an investigation team was formed to track down the suspects, make the arrest and put an end to the gang’s illegal activities that have been badly affecting individuals and companies overseas and targeting their bank accounts and credit cards.

“After verifying available information, the team has started to track the gang including “Hushpuppi”, who celebrated his wealth via social media platform, under a businessman façade, in an attempt to lure victims from all over the world,” Al Jallaf said.

Al Jallaf said the anti-cybercrime task force was able to track the gang members and detect their criminal activities including creating fake accounts on social media website with fake nicknames, hacking corporate emails to deceive clients into making money transfers to the gang’s bank accounts.

“The suspects also targeted victims overseas by creating fake websites for well-known companies and banks in a bid to steal victims’ credit card information and then launder the stolen money,” Al Jallaf continued.

The director of Dubai CID said the raid resulted in confiscating incriminating documents of a planned fraud on a global scale worth AED 1.6 billion ($ 435 million).

“The team also seized more than Dhs150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an estimated value of Dhs25 million ($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21 computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims”, he said.

After conducting further investigations and analysing confiscated electronic devices, Dubai Police investigators uncovered sensitive information mined by the suspects on individuals and companies overseas including bank accounts and fake credit cards as well as documents and files condemning the gangs’ illegal activities.

Fox Hunt 1

Last February, Dubai Police arrested an African gang of nine fraudsters specialised in cyber scam after they had run 81 fake business across 18 countries around the world.

Dubbed “Fox Hunt 1” the operation revealed a hidden online fraud network that deceived victims into transferring money in return of job opportunities. The gang used multiple bank accounts to make money transfers and deposits totalling more than Dhs32 million ($8.7 million)

The operation prevented the gang from abusing 800,000 email addresses and foiled their bid to steal Dhs4 billion ($1.08 billion).

- PM NEWS 

Google to pay content creators in Australia, Brazil, Germany

Google on Thursday agreed to pay some media groups in Australia, Brazil and Germany for high-quality content, expecting to do more deals with others.

The U.S. internet giant has for years tried to fend off demands for payment from news publishers worldwide in return for using their content.

“Today, we are announcing a licencing programme to pay publishers for high-quality content for a news experience launching later this year,” Brad Bender, Google’s Vice-President for News, said in a blogpost.

“We will start with publishers in a number of countries around the globe, with more to come soon,” he said.

Bender said Google would also offer to pay for free access for users to read paywalled articles on a publisher’s site where available.

Publishers that will be paid for their content are Germany’s Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Die Zeit and Rheinische Post, Australian groups Schwartz Media, The Conversation and Solstice Media, and Brazil’s Diarios Associados and A Gazeta.

- PM NEWS

RECKLESS LOOTERS !! NGF, NCDC sign MoU on World Bank’s N3.7bn COVID-19 support to states

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the World Bank’s N3.7 billion COVID-19 response support to the states in the country including the federal capital territory (FCT).

The MoU titled, ‘Nigeria COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (NIGERIA CoPREP)’ was jointly signed by Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti state, and Chikwe Ihekweazu, the director-general of NCDC, on Wednesday.

Fayemi, who also doubles as the chairman of NGF, commended NCDC for helping the states in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic with expertise, technical assistance and partnership.

He said that the fund will serve as a vehicle for the enhancement of health infrastructure particularly the primary healthcare centres at the sub-national level.

Fayemi also thanked the World Bank for being a great partner to the NGF, adding that Ekiti state alone has 10 ongoing World Bank projects.

“For us, we see the World Bank and a partner and not as a donor. In any case, it’s our money that is being given back but its something that they are doing genuinely with a commitment to the development in our country,” he said.

Ihekweazu disclosed that each state and the FCT will receive N100 million, which would be paid directly to a dedicated account of each state government, after meeting the necessary requirements.

He said the objectives of the fund was to prevent, detect, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the states level in the country.

“Since last year we have already said that our focus for this year would be on the states. Even before this outbreak, our strategic direction in NCDC was to support the state to build health facilities,” Ihekweazu said.

“We have come to that realisation that we have to invest in the health sector. We can do that at the federal level alone. We have to do it at both states and even local government level.”

In her remarks, Kathleen Whimp, World Bank operations manager, said the signing of the MoU was an opportunity for NCDC to reach states better and to strengthen its engagement with the states.

- THECABLE

Nollywood actor, ‘Ogun Majek’ is dead

Popular Yoruba actor, Gbolagade Akinpelu, popularly known as Ogun Majek, is dead.

It was gathered that the actor died on Thursday morning at his Imalefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan home.

Nollywood actor and producer, Tunde Ola-Yusuf, confirmed his death in a post on his Facebook page.

The post reads, “From him we come and onto him we shall return. Alh. Gbolagade Akinpelu Ogunmajek has returned to his creator.

“May God almighty rest his soul among the righteous.”

He, however did not disclose the cause of his death.

The actor was reported to have battled a prolonged illness before his death.

- DAILY POST

Nigerian high commission didn’t have required land documents, says Ghana

The Ghanaian government says Nigeria did not have the required documents for the land on which a building was demolished in Accra last week.

TheCable had reported how some persons broke into the premises of the Nigerian high commission in Ghana and pulled down some apartments under construction.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has called his Nigerian counterpart to apologise over the incident.

In a statement, Shirley Botchwey, Ghana’s foreign affairs minister, said during investigation, it was discovered that although Nigeria paid for the land in 2000, it could not present a land title certificate.
Botchwey said the certificate had been issued to Nigeria, remphasising that the demolished structure would be rebuilt.

“Following the incident regarding the breach of the premises of the High Commission of Nigeria, located at 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, Ringway Estates, East Ridge, Accra, on Friday, 19th June, 2020 at about 23:00 hours, a committee comprising officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Lands Commission, National Security Secretariat and the Ghana Police Service was constituted to investigate the incident and make appropriate recommendations,” she said.

“The High Commission of Nigeria presented letter referenced SCR/LCS 74/VOL.2/95 dated 7th August, 2000, granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, a 4-acre parcel of land in the Accra Osu Mantse Layout. The High Commission of Nigeria further presented receipts of payments on the said land, made by Bankers Draft payable to the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission. However, Land Title Certificate had not been issued to the High Commission.

“The Lands Commission stated that the said 4-acre parcel of land is part of vested land which is owned by the Osu Stool and managed by the Lands Commission. In June 2019, the Osu Stool requested the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission to grant a lease in respect of a part of the said land to a third party.

“The Lands Commission revealed that a letter referenced AC 14826 of 4th July, 2019, signed by the Regional Lands Officer and addressed to the High Commission of Nigeria, informed that the Osu Stool had requested the Lands Commission to grant a lease to a third party on the land in question. The Lands Commission, therefore, advised the High Commission of Nigeria to provide relevant documents on ownership of the land, but the former did not receive any response.

“Based on the silence of the High Commission of Nigeria, the Lands Commission went ahead and issued a Land Title Certificate covering the said parcel of land to a third party. The Lands Commission has confirmed that the letter of 7th August, 2000, presented by the High Commission of Nigeria granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, was genuine and, indeed, emanated from its Head Office.”

Botchwey said the the government of Ghana would engage those laying claim to the land so that the issue would be resolved amicably.

She said those arrested over the breach of the premises of the high commission of Nigeria were still being investigated , adding that the investigators would expedite action “given the delicate nature of the matter and its potential ramifications on Ghana–Nigeria relations”.

- THECABLE

Police arrests pastor over alleged gun running, recovers six rifles in Delta church

In its fight against crime and criminality, the Delta State Police Command have arrested the resident pastor of Christ Holy Church, Mr. Fidelix Nwansa over an alleged gun running under the pretence of providing security for churches and hotels with vigilante groups from Anambra State.

The Police also recovered six rifles in an uncompleted building within the Church’s premises in Asaba.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa confirmed the report in a telephone chat with DAILY POST in Warri on Thursday.

The State Police boss said the arrest of the Pastor was effected by his men two days ago during a mop up exercise.

According to CP Inuwa, “Some people from across the Niger have started or are bringing in vigilantes, bringing criminals to Delta in the name of providing security to either churches or hotels, forgetting the fact that it is illegal to do that because a vigilante from another state cannot come and operate in their state.

“Secondly, they’re carrying sophisticated firearms. Thirdly, there is every indication that once they bring these people, they are also engaged in criminality. So, we have recovered six pump actions.”

He noted that the Police also arrested the head of the said vigilante simply identified as Freeman.

CP Inuwa said the vigilante head who is from Anambra State with the cleric was brought into Delta State for a security job.

He said investigation also led to the arrest of the resident pastor of the church who confessed that the recovered prohibited firearms belonged to the Anambra vigilantes group.

- DAILY POST

CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY, Ex-Oyo Gov Ajimobi is dead

Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo State who had been on life support machine for weeks, is dead.

The 70-year-old, who was admitted at the First Cardiology Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, following Coronavirus complications, died on Thursday.

Nigeria’s rumour press had announced the former Oyo governor’s death a week ago, but his family and media aide quickly debunked the reports.

However, a source close to the former Governor told PM NEWS that Ajimobi breathed his last at about 4 pm today.

Oyo House of Representatives member, Akin Alabi, also confirmed Ajimobi’s death.

Nigerian journalist Dele Momodu also confirmed the news.

He said: “Good night former GOVERNOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI of Oyo State. My sincere condolences to the family… RIP.”

Ajimobi represented Oyo state in the senate between 2003 and 2007.

Ajimobi was the first Oyo governor to win a second term in office. He governed between 2011 and 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Florence, who he married in 1980, children and grandchildren.

- PM NEWS