TL;DR: On February 20, 2026, the NCA reported that seven men were arrested in Nigeria over an alleged online investment scam centre in Agbor. The NCA, Meta and the Nigerian Police cooperated. Police seized 26 phones, 42 SIM cards and a laptop. The group allegedly targeted victims in the UK and US; the number of UK victims is not known.
What happened
The NCA says the case was based on intelligence identified by the NCA, and equipment was seized on January 13. Hundreds of fake Facebook accounts may have been used to pose as cryptocurrency traders and post false positive reviews.
The compound allegedly recruited and trained young people to target victims in future investment and phishing fraud.
Why it works
Fake review accounts and “trader” profiles make a scam platform look established. Because the operators work from abroad, victims often learn too late that funds are hard to trace.
The NCA’s warning signs are below.
Background: our explainers on pig butchering scams and realistic expectations for crypto scam recovery. See also Fake Kent Police Calls: Victims Gave Away Crypto Seed Phrases and Operation Henhouse 2026: 557 Arrests and £18.1m Seized. For wider numbers, see our data page on average loss per victim by scam type.
What the NCA advises
- Ignore unsolicited approaches about crypto or day trading on social media or dating apps.
- Be wary of invitations to an “exclusive club” from self-described financial experts or gurus.
- Treat repeated pressure to invest more, or messages sent outside business hours, as warning signs.
- Be suspicious if you are told to keep a new investment secret from family and friends.
- If you think you have been a victim, report to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the arrests made?
In Nigeria, over an alleged online investment scam centre in Agbor, with seven men arrested, according to the NCA report of February 20, 2026.
What was seized?
26 phones, 42 SIM cards and a laptop.
Who targeted the victims?
The group allegedly targeted victims in the UK and US using hundreds of fake Facebook accounts posing as crypto traders.
What are the warning signs?
Unsolicited crypto or day-trading approaches, “exclusive club” invitations, repeated pressure to invest more and requests to keep an investment secret.
Sources
- NCA: Fraudsters arrested in Nigeria following NCA intelligence sharing (Feb 20, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- Fake Kent Police Calls: Victims Gave Away Crypto Seed Phrases
- Operation Henhouse 2026: 557 Arrests and £18.1m Seized
- ASIC Scam Alert: Fake Crypto Platforms in “Stock Tips” Groups
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live