The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have announced that it is hunting for fraudsters who have succeeded in stealing more than $ 40 million from an unnamed bank in Abuja.

One of the lead fraudster has been identified as Godswill Oyegwa Uyoyou who is said to be an Information Technology Communication (ITC) expert with the unnamed bank.

The EFCC said they have issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Uyoyou and he is being actively sought in and out of Nigeria. But an anonymous intelligence source said he is likely to be hiding in Ghana.

Mr. Uyoyou is said to have co-ordinated with his conspirators who he gave them access to the bank’s computer system to carry out the cyber theft.

News Nigeria reported that he helped his conspirators dressed as maintenance staff and that made them got into the bank’s IT department to use the computers to transfer the cash. They were thought to have entered the bank on a Saturday when it was closed and no other staff was working.

Security officials say they have decided not to name the bank where the money was stolen because of the possibility of customers loosing trust in the bank.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren was quoted by reporters as saying that although no members of the gang have been caught or identified apart from Mr. Uyoyou as at now, several of them are being tracked by means of cyber intelligence.

Local reporters say what has made this theft more serious is the amount involved and the fact that a worker of the bank is involved. Commentators say it is likely to increase the awareness of how banks recruit their IT staff and other staff to work in sensitive departments.

Cyber-crime has been on the rise in Nigeria and has spread to other parts in West African countries. The Ghanaian government has recently put strict cyber rules in order to fight cyber-crime which is mostly perpetuated by foreigners like Nigerians living in Ghana.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

Email Address: Adamsisska@googlemail.com

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