Musa Lurwanu Maje, a suspected social media fraudster, was apprehended by the Kano State Police Command. He specialized in using male and female names and pictures to create social media accounts that he used to defraud his victims, particularly randy lovers.
SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the command's spokesman, said in a statement on Sunday, June 19, that the suspect confessed to deceiving people into sending him nude pictures and videos, which he then uses to blackmail them.
"From April to June 2022, there was a public outcry over the activities of a notorious fraudster on various Social Media platforms who specialized in using male and female names, pictures, and videos, creating various accounts on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms, and defrauding many people, particularly randy lovers," the statement said.
"One Zahra Mansur, 'f,' 20 years old, also complained that she received phone calls from her close associates claiming that someone is using her name, pictures, and videos to create Facebook accounts and defraud unsuspecting members of the public."
"Following receipt of these reports, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama'ila Shu'aibu Dikko, formed and directed a team of detectives led by SP Shehu Dahiru to apprehend the perpetrator. The team swung into action right away, utilizing technical assistance.
"Sustained efforts and intelligence-led follow-up resulted in the arrest of the suspect, 26-year-old Musa Lurwanu Maje,'m,' also known on social media as Musa L Maje, of Sitti Village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State.
"The suspect was apprehended in possession of a Redmi Note 11 Pro mobile phone worth Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) and other accessories purchased with the proceeds of fraud. A total of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) was also recovered from his possession. He was also found with naked pictures and videos of victims.
"During the investigation, the suspect admitted to specializing in the use of Social Media and creating fake Social Media accounts to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
"He claimed to have created a bogus Facebook account called "Zahra Mansur" and to have used her photos and videos to defraud people without her permission. He also admitted to deceiving many people and obtaining their naked pictures and videos, and he threatened to blackmail them if they did not send money to him."
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Sama'ila Shu'aibu Dikko, has ordered a discreet investigation, following which the suspect will be charged and prosecuted in court.
