Police Expose Fake World Bank Official and Uncover N61m Gambling Fraud Scheme

Operations by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre have uncovered two distinct networks of financial fraud, revealing the lengths to which cybercriminals go to exploit both international aid expectations and internal corporate security gaps. In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer DCP Anthony Okon Placid detailed the arrest of a suspect accused of impersonating a World Bank official and another case involving the diversion of millions in corporate revenue to fund online gambling addictions.

Background and Context

These investigations form part of a broader crackdown on financial crimes in Nigeria, targeting schemes that damage the country's international reputation and economic stability. The Nigeria Police Force has emphasized the importance of securing the digital space against increasingly sophisticated operations. The two cases highlight different modalities of fraud: one relying on the impersonation of high-level international institutions to solicit funds from foreign victims, and the other leveraging insider access to siphon corporate assets.

Key Figures and Entities

The first case centres on Agbor Martins Black-Diamond, also known as Oruojong Black Diamond Agbor Martins. According to police findings, he allegedly orchestrated a cross-border fraud syndicate by impersonating officials from the World Bank and other donor agencies. Investigators allege that over a three-year period, Black-Diamond defrauded two Kenyan nationals of $250,000. The victims reportedly paid various registration and administrative fees expecting access to international funding that never materialised.

Authorities allege the scheme escalated in 2024 when the suspect convinced the victims to secure a bank loan using their family property as collateral. The loan was purportedly intended to access a non-existent $850,000 empowerment fund located in Ghana. To maintain the illusion of legitimacy, the suspect organised fake symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa. He was arrested on March 31, 2026. Police also allege he collected N50,000 from farmers in the Kuje Area Council under false empowerment claims.

In a separate operation, the cybercrime unit arrested Ayodele Daramola, an employee of a victimised company, and his alleged accomplice, Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi. They are accused of executing a business email compromise scheme that resulted in the diversion of N85 million from the company’s accounts.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The financial structures employed in these alleged crimes illustrate the diverse methods used by fraudsters to move and launder illicit funds. In the case of the impersonation scheme, police reports indicate the suspect operated through an unregistered foundation before attempting to legitimise his activities by registering a new entity in November 2024. The use of cross-border narratives—referencing funds in Ghana and holding events in South Africa—served to complicate jurisdictional tracking and delay victim discovery.

Conversely, the business email compromise case demonstrates the rapid velocity of digital theft. Investigators traced approximately N67.15 million to the insider suspect, Ayodele Daramola. According to the police, a significant portion of these funds—approximately N61 million—was spent on online gambling and betting platforms. This rapid dissipation of assets presents a challenge for asset recovery efforts. Following the arrests, authorities recovered N4 million in cash, an unserviceable Lexus ES350 vehicle, a laptop, and a mobile phone.

International Implications and Policy Response

The cross-border nature of the impersonation case, involving victims from Kenya and phantom funds in Ghana, underscores the necessity for international cooperation in tackling cybercrime. Such cases strain diplomatic relations and necessitate robust information sharing between law enforcement agencies across borders.

Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu has responded to these trends with a hardline stance, affirming that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for cybercriminals. The Inspector-General assured the public that the force is enhancing its capabilities to track and prosecute individuals exploiting digital systems. Authorities stated that efforts to recover the remaining funds and prosecute the suspects are ongoing.

Sources

This report is based on statements from the Nigeria Police Force Force Public Relations Officer, findings from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, and official police documentation regarding the arrests of Agbor Martins Black-Diamond and Ayodele Daramola.