…..Fake BVNs, NINs, 25 bank accounts, luxury phones, Mercedes-Benz recovered; alleged kingpins flee
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Katsina State Police Command has uncovered a suspected sophisticated financial fraud network, arresting five persons and recovering two vehicles, ₦2 million cash, luxury mobile phones and dozens of fake identity documents allegedly used to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
In a major breakthrough against cyber and financial crimes, the police also secured the freezing of bank accounts containing a staggering ₦22 million, believed to be linked to the activities of the suspected syndicate.
The operation exposed an alleged fraudulent banking network involving multiple identities, 25 bank accounts, fake Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), National Identification Numbers (NINs) and several SIM cards allegedly deployed to conceal the identities of the suspects.
The Command disclosed that the investigation began following a petition received at the office of the Commissioner of Police on October 27, 2026, over an alleged ₦10 million fraud involving one Ahmed Abdulhakim, 23.
According to a statement issued on November 7 by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the complainant alleged that on October 10, 2026, he entrusted Ahmed with ₦10 million to facilitate an ongoing business transaction on his behalf.
However, after receiving the money into his personal bank account, the suspect allegedly disappeared and converted the entire amount to his personal use, leaving repeated efforts to recover the funds unsuccessful.
Acting on the complaint, detectives swung into action, tracked down Ahmed and arrested him.
But what initially appeared to be a straightforward case of alleged financial fraud reportedly opened the door to a wider criminal network.
During interrogation, Ahmed allegedly confessed to the offence and disclosed that the transaction was connected to a criminal enterprise involving individuals who specialised in defrauding unsuspecting victims.
The investigation subsequently took detectives to a local hotel allegedly serving as the syndicate’s operational headquarters.
There, police arrested two other suspects, identified as Abdulrahman Abdullahi, popularly known as Khaila, 24, and Mustapha Ayuba, 24.
The hotel’s Assistant Manager, Fahad Ahmad, was also arrested over allegations of harbouring the suspects and assisting them in evading security operatives.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that Fahad frequently moved the suspects from one room to another in an attempt to frustrate efforts by detectives to track their movements and uncover their activities.
25 Bank Accounts, Multiple Identities Uncovered
In one of the most disturbing discoveries, investigators reportedly uncovered how the principal suspects allegedly used multiple fake identities to operate numerous bank accounts and conceal their financial dealings.
The police disclosed that Ahmed possessed three different BVNs and three NINs, which he allegedly used to operate 13 bank accounts.
Abdulrahman was reportedly found with three BVNs and three NINs linked to six bank accounts, while Mustapha allegedly possessed another three BVNs and three NINs used to operate six accounts.
Altogether, the three principal suspects allegedly operated 25 bank accounts using different fictitious identities.
Further investigations reportedly exposed two other suspects, Saifullahi Idris and Umar Faruq Bala, who were allegedly responsible for assisting the syndicate in generating fake BVN and NIN documents.
The police said all the arrested suspects had confessed to their respective roles in the alleged criminal operation.
Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Luxury Phones Recovered
Items recovered during the operation included a white Mercedes-Benz C300 and an ash-coloured Peugeot 206, believed by investigators to be proceeds of crime.
Other exhibits included a Samsung Fold, Redmi, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 mobile phones, alongside ₦2 million cash.
The police also recovered nine NIN cards from the three principal suspects, nine BVN slips bearing fraudulent names, one additional NIN card, nine ATM cards, 14 SIM cards and 12 SIM packs belonging to different telecommunications networks.
Beyond the physical exhibits, the freezing of two bank accounts containing ₦19 million and ₦3 million respectively brings the total amount of money placed under restriction to ₦22 million.
Alleged Kingpins Still at Large
Meanwhile, the investigation has reportedly identified Aminu Nasir Dan-Rimi, the original complainant, alongside one Surajo Sani Muhammad, as alleged ringleaders of the syndicate.
Both suspects are currently at large, with the Command confirming that intensified efforts are underway to track them down and bring them to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, psc(+), mnips, commended the detectives for their diligence, professionalism and commitment, describing the operation as part of the Command’s sustained efforts to combat financial and cyber-related crimes.
Fage warned hotel owners and managers against providing accommodation, protection or other assistance to criminals, stressing that those found harbouring suspects or obstructing police investigations would face the consequences of the law.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and financial transactions to security agencies.
The latest breakthrough underscores the growing challenge posed by financial fraudsters who exploit digital banking platforms, multiple identities and telecommunications networks to perpetrate financial crimes.
The Command assured residents that investigations would continue until the fleeing suspects and other possible accomplices are apprehended.
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