Police nab 22-year-old suspect over N4m online extortion scam

Detectives from the Area F Command of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended a 22-year-old suspected cyber blackmailer, Malik Opeyemi, for allegedly impersonating a woman online to entrap and extort unsuspecting male victims.
Opeyemi’s arrest on May 16, 2025, was prompted by a formal complaint from one of his victims. Acting swiftly, investigators tracked the suspect to Oyo State, where he was taken into custody and transferred to Lagos for further investigation.

Preliminary findings revealed that Opeyemi had defrauded over 30 victims since January 2025, collecting more than N4 million through a well-orchestrated scheme. He reportedly coerced victims into engaging in nude video calls, which he then used as leverage to demand payments.

The suspect allegedly charged his victims a so-called “subscription” fee of N25,000 for access to explicit content, using this as a front to manipulate them into compromising situations.

During the operation, detectives recovered two smartphones, an Itel and a Samsung, which, upon forensic analysis, were found to contain numerous explicit images of different victims.

The suspect has been formally charged to court.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reiterated the Command’s firm resolve to tackle cybercrime and protect Lagos residents from online exploitation.

He urged the public to remain cautious in their digital interactions and to promptly report any suspicious behaviour, stating that all perpetrators will be held accountable under the law.

Police nab 22-year-old suspect over N4m online extortion scam