Two men in Lagos, Nigeria, have been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for stealing $1 million from the Jamaican government. The men were detained at their home in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, after an investigation into their involvement in an international cyber fraud group.

The Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) in Jamaica received a complaint in 2023 from the National Water Commission about an attempt to defraud them of over $1 million through a business email compromise. The stolen funds were illegally routed to the criminals in Nigeria.

MOCA, along with US federal law enforcement partners, launched an international investigation into the matter. Their efforts resulted in the stolen money being seized and most of it being returned. The investigation also led to the location and arrest of the two perpetrators in Nigeria.

Basil Jarrett, MOCA’s director of communications, praised the quick response from the National Water Commission and the successful international cooperation that led to the arrests. The investigation is still ongoing, as MOCA suspects that more people may be involved in the sophisticated cyber fraud scheme.

This case highlights the importance of strong cybersecurity measures and international collaboration in fighting cybercrime.