Two men living in Lagos, Nigeria were apprehended after they allegedly attempted to defraud the National Water Commission (NWC) of over 1 million USD through a sophisticated cyber-crime operation.

The alleged cyber criminals were nabbed by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA) in partnership with United States federal law enforcement and Nigerian authorities.

According to Director of Communications at MOCA, Major Basil Jarrett, the agency was first alerted by the NWC in August last year, of a business email compromise which had illegally routed the funds to the criminals.

In response, MOCA in collaboration with its U.S. federal law enforcement partners launched an intensive, international cyber investigation into the attack, resulting in the monies being frozen and ultimately the majority of it being returned.

MOCA said this outcome not only highlights the resilience and preparedness of its cybersecurity defenses but also underscores the critical importance of international cooperation in addressing cyber threats.

MOCA’s investigations in the cyber-attack had pointed to the involvement of an international cyber threat actor located in Nigeria and through further international cooperation, a search warrant was executed in that country. 

The two individuals were eventually located in Lagos by Nigerian authorities. 

Major Jarrett said these arrests are a clear indicator of the strength of its cyber investigation capabilities and the importance of ongoing collaborations across borders. 

He noted that they are also a reminder that cyber-attacks are a constant threat in this digital age, with millions of attempts being carried out annually.

Major Jarrett also commended the NWC for its swift detection and notification system which not only informed them of the attack, but also prompted them to get MOCA involved.

MOCA says its investigation continues with its international partners as more individuals may be involved in the very sophisticated cyber fraud scheme.