Cybercrime: Indian police arrest two Nigerians over bank hacking
Noida Police Arrest Two Nigerian Nationals in Cybercrime Investigation
Authorities in India have taken two Nigerian nationals, Modebe Joseph, 42, and Sunday Okonkwo, 35, into custody for their alleged roles in an international cybercrime syndicate implicated in the hacking of cooperative banks.
The arrests occurred in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, during a coordinated operation led by the cybercrime unit of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate. This action involved collaboration among officers from the Cyber Crime Police Station and various security agencies.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shavya Goyal disclosed that the suspects are believed to be affiliated with a cyber threat group known as Solar Spider, which targets financial institutions with insufficient cybersecurity measures. Goyal indicated that the investigations suggest the pair are part of a larger global network linked to criminal organizations operating in Nigeria and South Africa.
According to Goyal, the suspects allegedly executed a fraudulent transfer of approximately ₹7 crore (nearly ₦1 billion) from a bank account over the weekend of March 7-8. The transaction reportedly took place while the bank was closed, a tactic thought to be designed to evade detection and facilitate the movement of the stolen funds.
