WARRI: A shocking case of cybercrime involving a teenager has been uncovered by the Delta State Police Command, revealing how a 17-year-old boy allegedly hacked into the WhatsApp accounts of prominent individuals and sold explicit materials to fellow students.
The Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Division in Uvwie Local Government Area, Temi Agbede-Zuokumor, disclosed the incident during a security awareness programme featuring comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke.
According to the DPO, the case came to light during a routine check of a student’s phone. Initial explanations by the student’s mother raised suspicion, prompting officers to inspect the device more closely.
Upon examination, authorities discovered that the phone contained numerous foreign contacts, including over 80 Australian numbers, alongside a large volume of explicit content.
Investigations further revealed that the materials were being sold to classmates, who reportedly referred to the teenager as boss.
The police also uncovered that the suspect had gained unauthorized access to WhatsApp accounts belonging to celebrities and used them to solicit money from unsuspecting victims.
During the programme, I Go Save shared a similar experience, recounting how he was once contacted by a fraudster impersonating Elon Musk and requesting financial assistance.
Authorities have since warned parents and school administrators to remain vigilant, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercrime among young people and the need for closer monitoring of digital activities.
The incident underscores growing concerns about youth involvement in online fraud and the misuse of digital platforms for criminal purposes in Nigeria.
