Authorities in Nigeria have arrested six suspected members of a cybercrime syndicate accused of breaching the internal platform of a major telecommunications provider and stealing large volumes of airtime and mobile data for illegal resale.
According to investigators, the group gained unauthorized access to the telecom company’s internal systems using compromised staff login credentials. The breach allowed the suspects to manipulate the platform and divert significant amounts of airtime and data, which were allegedly resold on the black market at discounted rates.
Security officials say the operation was carefully coordinated, with insiders’ credentials either stolen through phishing attacks or acquired via other unauthorized means. The illegal activity is believed to have caused substantial financial losses to the telecommunications provider and posed risks to customer data integrity.
Law enforcement agencies described the arrests as part of a broader crackdown on organized cybercrime networks targeting critical digital infrastructure, including telecom and financial service providers.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents highlight the growing threat of credential compromise and insider-enabled attacks within corporate environments. They emphasize the need for stronger internal controls, multi-factor authentication, continuous monitoring, and regular staff cybersecurity awareness training.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional suspects were involved and to assess the full financial impact of the breach.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts against cyber-enabled fraud and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s digital economy.
