Niger police arrest fake kidnap suspects in Ponzi scam after nine were caught staging abduction and demanding ₦7m ransom

The state command confirmed on Wednesday that nine individuals were apprehended in Minna for orchestrating the self-kidnap and demanding a ₦7 million ransom.

Also read: Anambra fake kidnap exposed as police arrest lovers, recover ₦1.2m

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said a report was lodged at Tudun-Wada Division on September 2 about a suspected kidnapping in the Mandela area. Shortly after, a ransom demand was made from an unknown number.

Investigators arrested one suspect, Suleiman Dauda, the following day. Interrogation led to the capture of eight more in the same area.

A search uncovered 21 SIM cards and 29 registration certificates. Dauda, who claimed to work in SIM card registration, admitted providing the phone and number used to demand the ransom.

Further inquiries revealed the suspects were linked to a fraudulent Ponzi scheme. Police discovered that one member of the group conspired with the supposed victim to extort money from their associates.

Abiodun noted that investigations are ongoing to track down accomplices, while those in custody have already been charged in court.

Self-kidnapping scams have become a recurring criminal tactic in Nigeria.

In August, Ondo police uncovered a similar case when a woman staged her abduction with her husband, demanding ₦10 million from relatives abroad. The couple confessed the act was a desperate attempt to settle debts.

Also read: Ondo fake kidnapping arrest reveals shocking scam

The latest arrests underscore growing concerns about the spread of fraudulent abduction schemes designed to exploit friends, relatives, and business partners.