Metro

Another Nigerian, James Aliyu, arrested by Interpol for $12 million worth cybercrime

Published

1 month ago

July 3, 2022

Another Nigerian has gotten into the news for international level cybercrime as Interpol has arrested James Junior Aliyu, for allegedly defrauding dozens of United States citizens of money totalling $12 million.

The 28-year-old Nigerian was arrested, with the assistance of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday in a “takedown operation” carried out by Interpol.

According to a statement issued by the South African police, Aliyu is “believed to be part of a cybercrime ring involved in phishing, internet scams and money laundering.

“Just after 10:00 on Wednesday, 29 June 2022, members from the Interpol National Crime Bureau (NCB) in Pretoria with the assistance from members of the SAPS Gauteng Highway Patrol Unit swooped in on the upmarket estate where they effected the arrest.” The statement reads.

Cyber insecurity poses great threat to Africa’s digital potential. It was reported that cybercrime reduced GD within Africa by more than 10%, at a cost of an estimated $4.12 billion in 2021. As of June 2020, South Africa had the third-highest number of cybercrime victims worldwide, at a cost of approximately $147 million a year. Report also says that one in nine Android mobile phones in Nigeria has malware-infected applications.

Although Nigeria is arguably the biggest Tech market in Africa, with many talented individuals doing the country proud locally and abroad. High-profile international fraud cases are also traceable to Nigerians.

Recall the case of one Ramon Abbas, popularly known Hushpuppi who is currently serving a jail term in the US for fraud which court documents filed in California say cost victims almost $24m (£17m) in total.

Metro

UN peacekeeping mission to resume operations in Mali month after suspension

Published

12 hours ago

August 14, 2022

Ifeoluwa Dada

Barely a month after the Malian junta suspended operations of UN peacekeeping troops on its soil, a spokesperson of the mission has confirmed that mission will resume again on Monday.

Malian authorities in a statement in July suspended all rotations of the military and police contingents of the United Nations Mission in Mali (UNMIS). The suspension was in continuation of its position of severing foreign relations, the suspension includes UN mission that are already scheduled.

The spokesperson said the mission and Malian authorities had agreed on a streamlined rotation procedure and that the mission’s request to resume rotations on Monday had been accepted.

Mali’s foreign ministry could not be immediately reached for comment.

Relations between Mali and troop-contributing countries remain strained. On Friday, Germany said it was suspending its military reconnaissance mission, which provides intelligence to MINUSMA, after Malian authorities withheld a flight clearance

Mali under the current Junta of Colonel Goita has been on a thread of breaking diplomatic relations with allies.

It started by breaking defense alliance with the French, the junta also quit the anti-jihadist force, G-5 force but has enjoyed good relationship with Russia.

Metro

15 African migrants found dead in the Libyan-Sudan border desert

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2022

Akanimoh Etim

At least 15 African migrants were found dead on Saturday in the desert on the Libyan borders with Sudan, with authorities saying the tragedy involved migrants seeking a better life in Europe while perilous journeys through the deserts and the Mediterranean Sea.

The discovery of the victims was made by the Libyan Department for Combating Irregular Migration, in the southeastern city of Kufra, which said the migrants were on their way from Sudan to Libya when their vehicle broke down due to lack of fuel.

The agency, in a statement, said nine other migrants survived while two remain missing in the desert.

It added that there were women and children among the migrants, but did not elaborate on how many they were.

It also did not reveal causes of the migrants’ death, but said they did not have enough food and water.

“All the migrants were Sudanese, from a country in turmoil for years. The migrants likely attempted to reach western Libya in efforts to board trafficking boats to Europe,” the department said on its Facebook page.

In June, the Libya authorities had also discovered bodies of 20 migrants in the sprawling Kufra desert who they said died of thirst after their vehicle broke down close to the border with Chad.