A cell of three Nigerian hackers who targeted US bank accounts, has been busted by United Arab Emirates police, the interior ministry said Sunday.
The trio were arrested following a tip-off from police in California about “cyber-criminal activity based in the UAE”, a statement said.
They allegedly targeted individuals and institutions in the United States by hacking their emails and accounts to steal private documents and details.
When police raided their hideout in the emirate of Ajman, officers found a list of more than five million electronic bank accounts.
The mastermind of the cell is aged 24, while the other two are both 26. They had all entered the UAE as tourists.
The Nigerians also had two local collaborators who were also arrested.
Cybercrimes are punishable by imprisonment and fines of up to two million dirhams ($544,500) in the UAE.
*In updates given by local, UAE news sources, five Nigerians were arrested in connection with the hacking offences.