The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has apprehended one Victor Umeakuka for hacking into bitcoin wallets. The suspect allegedly steals coins from wallets, which he then resells.
According to the EFCC, the 26-year old fraudster poses as a coin miner named Toby Campbell on WhatsApp to achieve his aims. He was said to have used the proceeds of his crime to buy several cars, including a Mercedes Benz C300 for N6.5m.
The EFCC swooped on him at House 9, Mobile Michael Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, following an intelligence report that the building houses fraudsters and Internet scammers.
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Confirming the arrest, the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said a search warrant was executed at the residence, leading to the recovery of laptops of different makes, phones, modems, SIM cards and other items.
He stated, “In the course of the investigation, preliminary findings revealed that the suspect is into the bitcoin business and uses his bitcoin account to buy and sell stolen bitcoins. He confessed that he hacks into other people’s bitcoin wallets, transfers the contents, which he then sells to unsuspecting members of the public.
“He uses the name, Tony Campbell to pose as a bitcoin miner.”
Similarly, the commission has also arrested one Chidiebere Chiama for Internet fraud and hacking into bitcoin wallets.
The suspect confessed to that he used Blockchain to receive stolen bitcoins, which he converted to cash for as much as $1,000.
“The suspect claimed he has not benefited much from the business” the commission stated.
The EFCC noted that the two suspects entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC.