The Delta State Police Command has raised alarm over the alleged cyber activities of a 17-year-old secondary school student who reportedly broke into WhatsApp accounts belonging to celebrities and circulated explicit materials to fellow students for financial gain.
The development was made public in a video shared by comedian I Go Save during a security sensitisation programme where he engaged the Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Division in Uvwie Local Government Area, Temi Agbede-Zuokumor.
Agbede-Zuokumor said the matter came to light after officers carried out a routine search on a student’s mobile phone, which immediately triggered suspicion.
She explained that the boy’s mother initially attempted to mislead investigators by claiming the phone belonged to his sister, but contradictions in her account led police to probe further.
According to her, officers later resolved to thoroughly examine the device, a decision that uncovered a large cache of explicit materials alongside numerous foreign contacts, including over 80 Australian phone lines.
The police officer further alleged that the suspect monetised the content by selling explicit materials to classmates, some of whom reportedly idolised him and addressed him as “boss” within the school environment.
She also disclosed that preliminary findings indicated the teenager may have gained unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts belonging to some public figures, which he allegedly exploited to defraud unsuspecting victims by demanding money.
The case, she noted, underscores the growing complexity of cybercrime among teenagers and the risks associated with unrestricted access to smartphones and online platforms.
Also speaking at the session, I Go Save shared a related encounter in which an individual impersonating billionaire Elon Musk attempted to scam him, claiming to be stranded and requesting airtime before later diverting the conversation to a local bank transfer.
Authorities have since urged parents, guardians, and school administrators to closely monitor children’s online activities, warning that digital crimes among adolescents are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
