The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested three cybercafe operators for allegedly defrauding over 300 students of Kaduna State University (KASU) of their tuition fees amounting to N60 million. According to the police, the suspects compromised the students’ registration portal and took advantage of those who chose to pay their fees online instead of using normal banking platforms.
The suspects would collect full tuition fees from students, but pay a lesser amount into the state’s Treasury Single Account (TSA). They would then manipulate the electronic transaction receipts from the TSA to reflect the complete payment. The suspects have been identified as Muhammad Uthman Busari of Nariya, AbdulAzeez Hamza of Hayin Dan-Mani, and Noel Nims Audiya, who are mainly cybercafe operators.
The principal suspect, Muhammad Uthman Busari, reportedly used the N60 million to build and furnish a house, purchase a car, electronic appliances and gadgets, and acquire plots of land in Kaduna and Kwara States.
The suspects have been charged in court for prosecution. The Kaduna State Police Command has established a cybercrime unit led by the Commissioner of Police, A.D. Ali, to investigate cybercrime-related offenses. Victims of social media account hacking, fake purchase alerts, deceptive social romance, cryptocurrency and forex frauds, and other offences in Kaduna State should report to the Commissioner of Police through the newly created unit for thorough investigation.