Cameroonian Students Among Cybercriminals Arrested in Burkina Faso's Fight Against Online Fraud

The group, involved in various illegal activities such as forgery, identity theft, and online fraud, operated through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The group's method involved creating fake pages titled "Direction Générale de la Douane," "Infos Douane," "Douane Produit," "Douane," "Infos Burkina Douane," and "Douane Info Burkina Faso" on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, using the customs logo to deceive the public. These pages published fictitious announcements about auctions of vehicles seized by customs. Victims were invited to participate in these auctions by paying 100,000 FCFA (approximately $150) via mobile money services as registration fees. Once the payment was made, the criminals reassured the victims via WhatsApp, confirming their registration and sending a list of vehicles for them to choose from. The fraudsters then demanded additional payments, either for the cost of the chosen vehicle or for a commission for an agent supposedly facilitating the transaction.

In addition to these fraudulent activities, the group operated fake investment pages under names like "Global Investissement" and "Perfect Investissement." These pages promised unrealistic returns on investments, offering extraordinarily high returns depending on the amount invested. Payments were requested via mobile money solutions. Once the funds were received, the group would cut all communication with the victims, blocking them on all platforms. The stolen money was transferred to mobile money accounts of accomplices or laundered through the purchase of cryptocurrencies.

On some occasions, the group also hijacked WhatsApp accounts using victims' phone numbers or employed phishing links to take control of Facebook accounts. These compromised accounts were used to convince the victims' contacts of the legitimacy of the scam.

Following their arrest and interrogation by the BCLCC, I.M.G and K.D, both of Cameroonian nationality, admitted to working with other compatriots, including DJOUSSE LONCTHI ARTHUR ANGE (born 05/04/1997 in Dschang) and TCHOUPOU DJOU YVANNE, the masterminds and principal perpetrators of the fraudulent operations.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

I.M.G and K.D have been formally charged and presented before the Prosecutor of Faso at the Ouagadougou High Court to answer for their crimes.

The damage caused by the activities of this group is estimated at over 15 million FCFA (approximately $23,000).

The BCLCC is calling for increased vigilance, especially during the end-of-year period when cybercriminals are known to step up their activities.

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Brigade Centrale de Lutte Contre la Cybercriminalité - BCLCC