Police Dismantle Syndicate Behind Fake NIMC Verification Platforms

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a major cyber syndicate running fake National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) verification platforms, arresting eight suspects linked to unauthorized access and data harvesting schemes.

The Force, through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), said on Thursday that it shut down 13 out of 14 fraudulent domains designed to mimic the official NIMC database.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Isuku Victor-Edailokun, described the operation as a breakthrough in protecting citizens’ personal information.

“We uncovered a sophisticated syndicate running multiple illicit online platforms illegally interfacing with the National Identity Database. Through digital forensic techniques, we arrested the perpetrators and shut down their fake domains,” he said.

Those arrested include Hamzat Lukman, a software developer who allegedly created and hosted goverify.com.ng and other domains, and Babalola Tolani Suleiman, identified as the mastermind of the commercial verification racket.

Other suspects operating sites such as idfinder.com.ng, verifymyNIN.com, and verify4me.com.ng were also tracked down in Kwara and Lagos States.

Director of the NPF-NCCC, CP Uche Ifeanyi, stressed that the official NIMC database had not been compromised, contrary to speculation.

“Our investigations confirmed that the NIMC database is safe and secure. What we discovered were phishing links fake websites designed to trick citizens into submitting confidential information,” he explained.

Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, also reassured Nigerians that enrollment into the National Identification Number (NIN) system remains free and secure.

She disclosed that the commission has upgraded its infrastructure to accommodate up to 250 million registrations.

“There was no hacking of our database. The criminal networks operated outside our system, posing as agents. Nigerians should avoid patronizing unauthorized agents and use only our official enrollment partners,” she cautioned.

Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, pledged continued collaboration with NIMC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser to protect Nigeria’s digital assets and safeguard citizens’ data.