In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the cyber unit of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate has arrested 2 Nigerian nationals for their alleged involvement in an international hacking syndicate targeting banks.
The accused, Modebe Joseph (42) and Sunday Okonkwo (35), are believed to be part of a cyber threat group known as “Solar Spider”. According to investigators, the group focuses on exploiting weak cybersecurity systems in cooperative banks to siphon off funds through fraudulent online transactions, with plans to steal between ₹60 crore and ₹80 crore.
The arrests were made through a joint operation involving the Cyber Crime Police Station, Knowledge Park Police team, and the cyber commando unit of the Meerut Zone. Authorities acted on intelligence inputs indicating that the Solar Spider network had recently become active in the region. After surveillance and tracking, the suspects were caught during a targeted operation.
Officials revealed that the gang’s method involved transferring stolen money into multiple “mule accounts” to hide the trail. The funds were then intended to be converted into cryptocurrency and moved overseas.
“During preliminary investigation, police found that the accused had already carried out a cyber fraud involving a cooperative bank in Bhavnagar in Gujarat. During the weekend of March 7–8, the suspects managed to siphon off around ₹7 crore from the bank. Investigators believe the transaction was deliberately executed over the weekend when the bank was closed, reducing the chances of immediate detection,” said Shavya Goyal, Additional DCP (cyber/narcotics).
Following the discovery, authorities alerted the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and concerned banks. Swift action helped prevent further losses worth several crores.
Police also stated that the arrested individuals are part of a larger international network with links to criminal groups operating in Nigeria and South Africa. The Solar Spider syndicate was previously exposed in 2025 when another module was dismantled by the same cyber police unit.
Further investigation is ongoing to identify other members, trace financial flows, and determine if more banks were targeted.
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