A sixteen years old fraudster identified as Gabriel Michael has revealed how the lifestyle posed by Naira Marley on his videos and songs, influenced him into becoming who he was.
Although his age according to reports by the officers of the Gombe State Police Command stated that he was 18, Gabriel reiterated that he was just sixteen and since he has been exposed to the use of computers since a younger age, he had mastered the skills of hacking.
Narrating his activities, Gabriel said, “I learnt hacking through tutorials on YouTube; for so many months I was at it. The lifestyle of a Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, the way he spends money influenced me. Marley talks about being a Yahoo boy (cyber fraudster). My addiction to computer started at the age of seven.”
Gabriel continued by saying, “I’m 16 years old, from Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State. I finished from the Nationwide Academy in Gombe. I was arrested for hacking into someone’s account.
“I generate software like IP protocol, Angry IP scans, linos and I use them to do the job.
“Once you can guess a name or number you will formulate it. Usually, I start from getting your telephone number from your social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
“After getting your names, telephone number and your bank, I will formulate it, and attempt to get your personal data base from the bank and thereafter generate your token for transaction. I don’t usually exceed two attempts; if you do it thrice, you will be caught.”
Expressing remorse for his actions, the suspected fraudster stated, “I regret my actions. I pray to be pardoned so that I can use my talent in other to work for them.
“I can channel my ideas to legal ventures but the challenge has always been that nobody encourages one to use his talent to do good things.
“For instance, friends will push you to do so because you are making money. My ambition is to work hard to become a member of the Department of Security Services.”
“I hide under the cover of my job; I’m into aluminum works. My parents did not suspect my heinous activities.”
Gombe Police Spokesperson, Mary Malum, while revealing the crimes the teenager had committed, stated, “Michael used his computer to hack into Tanko’s account and withdrew the sum of N187,100 cash from her GT Bank account and the suspect has confessed to the crime. Exhibits recovered from Michael include one mobile handset, N10,000 cash, two pairs of shoes and clothes, amounting to about N33,000. The items were bought with the proceeds of the illegal withdrawal.
“The suspect is under investigation with a view to charging him to court. In line with the IGP’s vision and mission of the Operation Puff Adder meant to reclaim the public space from heinous criminal elements that are threatening internal security, the Gombe State Police Command is determined to ensure that Gombe State remains peaceful.”
Also, read: Internet fraud: EFCC arrests 60, convicts 37 in Akwa Ibom
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