Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 25-year-old cybercrime suspect, Umar Yau, popularly known as "Snake," following an extensive high-tech investigation that uncovered his elaborate online fraud activities dating back to 2019.
The arrest came after an online businesswoman, Mrs. Fatimah Faiz Ali Bawahab, filed a petition with the police, alleging persistent impersonation and online scams conducted using her name and photographs. The suspect had reportedly been duping unsuspecting victims through fake Facebook accounts and fraudulent bank details.
Pattern of Coordinated Fraud
In 2022, a victim identified as Nafiu Muhd first raised the alarm when he was swindled after transferring money to a First Bank account bearing the name Hansatu Yau. Following the transaction, he was blocked by the fraudster, prompting suspicion of a notorious scam operation.
The situation escalated in early 2023 when several individuals contacted Mrs. Bawahab, claiming they had been defrauded by a Facebook account using her identity. Payments were traced back to the same Hansatu Yau bank account, confirming a pattern of coordinated impersonation and fraud.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Detectives from the CP Monitoring Unit, acting on orders from Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, launched a discreet, technology-driven investigation that led to the suspect's capture on June 5, 2025, in Bauchi's Yelwan Makaranta area.
During the arrest, police recovered several incriminating items from the suspect, including:
- Nine ATM cards from various banks
- A completed FCMB account opening form filled without his sister's consent
- Two National Identification Number (NIN) plastic cards
- Three Voter's cards
- Three new SIM cards from different telecommunications providers
- One ZTE Universal Mobile 4G MiFi device
- One Infinix Smart 9 smartphone box
According to a statement issued by the Command's Spokesman, Ahmed Wakil, the suspect confessed during interrogation to defrauding approximately 40 victims, including those in the cryptocurrency space. He admitted to operating multiple fake bank accounts and using aliases to lure victims into fraudulent online transactions.
Following his arrest, the Bauchi State Police Command has transferred the case to the Kano State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
This arrest highlights the growing concern over cybercrime in Nigeria and the importance of verifying online identities before engaging in financial transactions.
Stay updated with the latest news by following BenriNews on social media:
