Meta and the UK National Crime Agency are sharing more details of a suspected scam centre in Nigeria that targeted British residents and American people based in the UK that was disrupted following signals and insight provided by Meta.

According to preliminary findings from the Nigerian Police Force, the syndicate operated a sophisticated online fraud network based in Agbor, Delta State.

The group used fake social media accounts impersonating cryptocurrency traders, along with fraudulent Facebook groups featuring fabricated testimonials, to target individuals engaging with legitimate investment platforms. Meta says it is working closely with law enforcement to identify and remove all accounts found to be in violation as part of the operations.

During the takedown, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center arrested seven suspects and also reported recovering twenty-six (26) mobile phones, forty-two (42) SIM cards, and one (1) laptop, all suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime.

“We welcome the partnership with the UK National Crime Agency and the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to identify and disrupt this alleged scam centre, based on insight and signals shared by Meta,” Nathaniel Gleicher, Global Head of Counter Fraud for Meta said.

“Scams are driven by persistent criminals and sophisticated, organised crime syndicates constantly evolving their operations to evade detection. We are focused on rooting them out, working with law enforcement, governments, and peers to protect people from these schemes. This takedown demonstrates the real impact that this cooperation can have and the importance of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.”

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Nick Sharp, Deputy Director of Fraud at the National Crime Agency, said: “These arrests were made possible thanks to our close partnership working with Meta and our law enforcement partners in Nigeria.

“This action marks a significant step in our collective fight against fraudsters operating overseas, and will help in our mission to protect the public in the UK from serious and organised criminals. Fraudsters can operate from anywhere and will target victims both domestically and globally. The NCA will continue to work with international and private sector partners to tackle fraudsters working upstream, overseas and online.”