By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Interpol South Africa has arrested a 28-year-old Nigerian national who is believed to be part of a cybercrime ring involved in phishing, internet scams and money laundering to the tune of R192 million.
The man is accused of conducting swindling dozens of US citizens out of millions of dollars from South Africa, via email and text messages.
SAPS national spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe says “James Junior Aliyu was arrested at an upmarket estate in Sandton, Johannesburg, earlier this week following a takedown operation.”
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, said Mathe.
His arrest follows a widespread investigation involving law enforcement authorities from South Africa (SA) and the United States of America (USA).
“Authorities in the USA, where the investigation originated and where most of his alleged victims are based, have applied for his extradition,” added Mathe.
The suspect has already appeared before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on the same day of his arrest and the matter has been remanded to 05 July 2022.