The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Malik Opeyemi, for allegedly orchestrating an online extortion scheme that defrauded victims of over N4 million.

Detectives from the Area F Command apprehended Opeyemi on May 16, 2025, following a formal complaint from one of his numerous victims. The police investigation led officers to Oyo State, where the suspect was taken into custody before being transferred to Lagos for further interrogation.

According to preliminary findings, Opeyemi had been operating a sophisticated cyber blackmail operation since January 2025, successfully targeting more than 30 victims and amassing over N4 million in illegal proceeds.

The suspect's modus operandi involved impersonating women online to lure unsuspecting male victims. He would reportedly coerce these individuals into participating in nude video calls, which he then recorded and used as leverage to extort payments from them.

As part of his scheme, Opeyemi allegedly charged victims a "subscription fee" of N25,000, ostensibly for access to explicit content. This was merely a front to manipulate victims into compromising situations that made them vulnerable to blackmail.

During the arrest operation, police recovered two smartphones—an Itel and a Samsung—which contained incriminating evidence. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed numerous explicit images of different victims, further strengthening the case against the suspect.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has confirmed that the suspect has been formally charged to court to face the legal consequences of his actions.

Speaking on the arrest, CP Jimoh reiterated the Command's unwavering commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting Lagos residents from online exploitation. He emphasized that all perpetrators of such crimes would be held accountable under the law.

The Commissioner urged members of the public to exercise caution in their digital interactions and to promptly report any suspicious online behavior to the authorities.

This case highlights the growing concern over cyber blackmail and online extortion in Nigeria, with criminals increasingly using sophisticated methods to target unsuspecting victims. Cybersecurity experts advise internet users to be wary of unsolicited communications and to avoid sharing sensitive personal information or engaging in compromising activities online.