Crime

Bauchi Police Arrest 'Snake': Notorious Cyber Scammer Exposed

The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a suspected cyber fraudster and identity thief, 25-year-old Umar Yau, popularly known as "Snake," following a technology-driven investigation into his alleged online scam operations that defrauded dozens of victims.

The suspect, a resident of the Yelwan Makaranta area of Bauchi metropolis, was arrested after a formal complaint was lodged by one of his victims, according to the Command's Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil.

Sophisticated Identity Theft Scheme

The case began when Mrs. Fatimah Faiz Ali Bawahab, an online businesswoman, discovered someone had been impersonating her on Facebook. The impersonator created a fake account under the username "Amizeebaby Muhd," using her name and photos to advertise non-existent goods and services to unsuspecting buyers.

Victims were tricked into transferring money to various bank accounts, only realizing they had been scammed after contacting the real Mrs. Bawahab for confirmation. One of the earliest incidents linked to the suspect occurred in March 2022, when a man identified as Nafiu Muhd was defrauded after sending money to a First Bank account under the name Hansatu Yau.

By 2023, more victims had emerged, revealing a pattern of fraud involving accounts linked to the names Hansatu Yau and Umar Yau.

Police Investigation and Arrest

Following the complaint, Bauchi Commissioner of Police, CP Sani Aliyu, ordered the Monitoring Unit to launch a discreet investigation. Using advanced digital forensic tools, detectives successfully traced the fraudulent activities to Umar Yau, leading to his arrest on June 5, 2025, around 9:00 p.m.

During the operation, police recovered several items believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes, including:

Nine ATM cards from various banks
An FCMB account opening form fraudulently filled with his sister's identity
Two National Identity cards and three voter's cards bearing his details
Three unused SIM cards
A ZTE 4G MiFi device
A smartphone box

Confession and Scale of Fraud

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in cyber fraud for more than five years. He admitted to defrauding approximately 40 individuals through various schemes, including fake cryptocurrency investments and deceptive online marketing campaigns.

CSP Wakil stated that the suspect's confession and the items recovered have provided substantial evidence for prosecution.

Commending the detectives for their efforts, CP Aliyu reaffirmed the Command's commitment to combating cybercrime in the state. He warned that individuals who engage in digital fraud and identity theft will face the full wrath of the law.

The police have urged members of the public to exercise caution when conducting online transactions and to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly.

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