SCARS Institute's Encyclopedia of Scams™ RomanceScamsNOW.com Published Continuously for 25 Years

SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

In 2025 the SCARS Institute will enter its 11th year of Supporting Scam Victims Worldwide. Please let us know how we can better help you? Thank you for supporting our organization. SCARS Institute © 2024 www.AgainstScams.org

Killer Bee Cybercrime Syndicate

Transnational Organized Criminal Enterprise from Nigeria Profile

How Scammers Operate – A SCARS Insight

The Nigerian ‘Killer Bee’ Cybercrime Syndicate – A Criminal Organization & Cybercriminal Group

You may have heard of the Nigerian Black Axe but have you ever heard of the Nigerian Kill Bee syndicate?

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is a group of Nigerian criminals who are involved in a variety of cybercrime activities, including business email compromise (BEC) scams, malware distribution, and cryptocurrency theft. The gang is known for its sophisticated methods and its ability to adapt to new technologies and trends.

What is the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Organization

The gang is believed to be based in Nigeria, but it has members and associates all over the world. The gang is also known to work with other cybercrime groups, such as Russian and Chinese hacking groups.

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is organized into a hierarchical structure, with a leader (unknown) at the top and a number of subordinates below them. The leader is responsible for overseeing the gang’s operations and for making strategic decisions. The subordinates are responsible for carrying out the gang’s criminal activities, such as developing and distributing malware, phishing emails, and BEC scams.

The gang is also known to have a number of specialized teams, such as a team that is responsible for developing and distributing malware, a team that is responsible for phishing emails, and a team that is responsible for BEC scams. Each team is led by a team leader who is responsible for overseeing the team’s activities and for ensuring that they meet their targets.

The gang is known to be very disciplined and to have a strict set of rules that members must follow. Members who violate the gang’s rules can be punished severely, including through violence or expulsion from the gang.

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is a serious threat to businesses and individuals around the world. The gang has caused tens (possibly hundreds) of millions of dollars in losses to its victims. The gang is also known to be involved in the theft of sensitive data, such as personal information and financial data that facilitates scams and identity theft.

Challenges and Law Enforcement Response

Law enforcement agencies around the world are working to combat the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang. However, the gang is a powerful and resourceful organization, and it remains a major challenge for law enforcement. However, the gang’s leaders remain at large.

It is also believed that this syndicate has its fingers inside the Nigerian government, in both law enforcement and the judicial system as well.

Law enforcement agencies around the world are working to identify and arrest the leaders of the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang. However, the gang’s leaders are very good at evading law enforcement, and it is unclear when they will be brought to justice.

Nigerian Killer Bee Leadership

The leadership of the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is highly secretive, and very little is known about the specific individuals who are involved. However, it is believed that the gang is led by a small group of experienced and highly skilled cybercriminals with direct connections inside the Nigerian government.

The gang’s leaders are responsible for overseeing the gang’s operations and for making strategic decisions. They are also responsible for recruiting and training new members, and for developing new cybercrime methods and tools. Some of the scammer training centers that were shut down in the last year are believed to be owned by the Kille Bee syndicate.

The gang’s leaders are known to be very ruthless and to be willing to use violence to protect their interests. They are also known to be very good at evading law enforcement.

Nigerian Killer Bee is Engaged in Cybercrimes

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is known for its sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks. The gang is responsible for a number of high-profile crimes, including:

  • Business email compromise (BEC) scams: The gang has stolen millions of dollars from businesses around the world through BEC scams. In a typical BEC scam, the gang sends an email to a business that impersonates a senior executive or vendor. The email requests that the business make a payment to a bank account controlled by the gang.
  • Malware distribution: The gang has developed and distributed a variety of malware, including trojans, ransomware, and botnets. The gang’s malware is designed to steal sensitive data, such as financial information and personal information.
  • Cryptocurrency theft: The gang has stolen cryptocurrency from exchanges and wallets. In one notable case, the gang stole over $2 million worth of cryptocurrency from a Japanese exchange.

Romance & Relationship Scams

There is no concrete evidence that the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is involved in romance or relationship scams. However, it is strongly suspected that large numbers of the members of the gang are involved in these types of scams. Because of their organization and corruption of public officials, there are almost no arrests of their members.

Nigerian Killer Bee History

In 2022, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) arrested three members of the Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang in a sting operation. The gang members were accused of using Agent Tesla, a remote access trojan, to compromise organizations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The gang was also accused of stealing millions of dollars from its victims.

Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang Locations

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is believed to be based in Nigeria, but it has members and associates all over the world, including:

  • Southeast Asia
  • Middle East
  • North Africa
  • Europe
  • North America
  • South America

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is a Threat to Public Safety Worldwide

The Nigerian Killer Bee is a serious threat to public safety and security. The triad is responsible for a significant amount of crime and violence in the communities where it operates. The triad is also a major source of corruption and economic instability.

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is known for its sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks. The gang is responsible for a number of high-profile crimes, including:

  • Business email compromise (BEC) scams: The gang has stolen millions of dollars from businesses around the world through BEC scams. In a typical BEC scam, the gang sends an email to a business that impersonates a senior executive or vendor. The email requests that the business make a payment to a bank account controlled by the gang.
  • Malware distribution: The gang has developed and distributed a variety of malware, including trojans, ransomware, and botnets. The gang’s malware is designed to steal sensitive data, such as financial information and personal information.
  • Cryptocurrency theft: The gang has stolen cryptocurrency from exchanges and wallets. In one notable case, the gang stole over $2 million worth of cryptocurrency from a Japanese exchange.
  • Cybercrime: The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is best known for its sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks against financial institutions, primarily banks. The group typically uses a combination of phishing and malware to gain access to bank systems. Once the group has access to a bank’s system, they will then steal money by transferring it to their own accounts or by using fraudulent ATM withdrawals.
  • Phishing Attacks: The gang has perfected the art of crafting convincing phishing emails and websites to trick individuals and organizations into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials and credit card details.
  • Ransomware: They have developed and deployed their ransomware strains, holding victims’ data hostage until a ransom is paid.
  • Cryptocurrency Exploitation: The gang takes advantage of cryptocurrency’s supposed anonymity to facilitate their operations, including ransom payments.
  • Bank fraud: The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang has been responsible for stealing millions of dollars from banks around the world. In 2017, the group was responsible for a series of attacks against banks in Russia and Europe that resulted in the theft of over $100 million. In 2018, the group was responsible for an attack against a bank in the United States that resulted in the theft of over $20 million.
  • Wire fraud: The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is also involved in wire fraud scams. In these scams, the group will trick people into sending them money by wire transfer. The group often uses phishing emails to target their victims.
  • Identity theft: The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is also involved in identity theft scams. In these scams, the group will steal people’s personal information, such as their Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. The group may then use this information to commit fraud or to sell it to other criminals.
  • Money laundering: The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is also involved in money laundering. Money laundering is the process of making illegally gained proceeds (i.e. “dirty money”) appear legal (i.e. “clean”). The group often uses money laundering schemes to conceal the proceeds of their crimes.

Nigerian Police Arrest 3 Killer Bee Members

In May 2022, the Nigerian police, as part of an internationally coordinated sting operation, busted another cybercriminal gang, which Interpol calls “Killer Bee.”

The suspects are three middle-aged Nigerians, arrested for allegedly carrying out cyberfraud across Southeast Asia using Agent Tesla, a remote access Trojan, Interpol says.

The operation was a coordinated effort between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria, Interpol, the National Central Bureaus and law enforcement agencies of 11 countries across Southeast Asia, according to Interpol.

The operation was initiated after Interpol’s private sector partner Trend Micro provided operational intelligence to the agency about the “emergence and usage of Agent Tesla malware” in this case. Agent Tesla was found on the mobile phones and laptops of the syndicate members that were seized by the EFCC during the bust.

“Through its global police network and constant monitoring of cyberspace, Interpol had the globally sourced intelligence needed to alert Nigeria to a serious security threat where millions could have been lost without swift police action,” Interpol Director of Cybercrime Craig Jones says in the statement. “Further arrests and prosecutions are foreseen across the world as intelligence continues to come in and investigations unfold.”

The syndicate, operating from the west coast of Africa, targeted corporates, including oil and gas companies in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, the statement says. Interpol adds that using Agent Tesla, the syndicate rerouted “financial transactions,” which helped them steal confidential online details linked to these corporates.

The three arrested individuals also had several fake documents, “including fraudulent invoices and forged official letters,” Interpol says.

The statement says that one of the scammers, Hendrix Omorume, has been convicted of three counts of serious financial fraud and faces 12 months in prison. The two other men are still on trial.

“Cybercrime is spreading at a fast pace, with new trends constantly emerging. Through operations like Killer Bee, Interpol supports EFCC in keeping pace with new technologies and understanding the possibilities they create for criminals and how they can be used as tools for fighting cybercrime,” says EFCC Director of Operations Abdulkarim Chukkol.

“The enforcement actions led by Nigeria and coordinated with Interpol send a clear message that cybercrime will have serious repercussions for those involved in business email compromise fraud, particularly in Nigeria,” Chukkol adds.

Summary

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is a sophisticated and well-organized group of cybercriminals who are believed to be based in Nigeria. The gang is involved in a variety of cybercrime activities, including business email compromise (BEC) scams, malware distribution, and cryptocurrency theft.

The gang is known for its targeted attacks and its ability to adapt its methods and tools to evade law enforcement. The gang has stolen millions of dollars from businesses and individuals around the world.

The Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Gang is a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike. It is important to be aware of the gang’s activities and to take steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

However, the triad is a powerful and resourceful organization, and it remains a major challenge for law enforcement.

3 Nigerian Killer Bee Members Arrested by Nigerian Police
3 Nigerian Killer Bee Members Arrested by Nigerian Police

SCARS FREE Support & Recovery Program - 4 EVER FREE

Do You Need Support?
Get It Now!

SCARS provides the leading Support & Recovery program for relationship scam victims – completely FREE!

Our managed peer support groups allow victims to talk to other survivors and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!

SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and so much more!

To apply to join our groups visit support.AgainstScams.org

We also offer separate support groups for family & friends too.

SCARS STAR Membership

Become a
SCARS STAR™ Member

SCARS offers memberships in our STAR program, which includes many benefits for a very low annual membership fee!

SCARS STAR Membership benefits include:

  • FREE Counseling or Therapy Benefit from our partner BetterHelp.com
  • Exclusive members-only content & publications
  • Discounts on SCARS Self-Help Books Save
  • And more!

To learn more about the SCARS STAR Membership visit membership.AgainstScams.org

To become a SCARS STAR Member right now visit join.AgainstScams.org

PLEASE SHARE SO OTHERS WILL KNOW

SCARS Publishing Self-Help Recovery Books Available At shop.AgainstScams.org

Scam Victim Self-Help Do-It-Yourself Recovery Books

SCARS Printed Books For Every Scam Survivor From SCARS Publishing

Visit shop.AgainstScams.org

Each is based on our SCARS Team’s 32-plus years of experience.

SCARS Website Visitors receive an Extra 10% Discount
Use Discount Code “romanacescamsnow” at Checkout

Always Report All Scams – Anywhere In The World To:

Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how

U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS and SCARS at www.Anyscams.com
Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more!

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

Article Rating

0
(0)

Table of Contents

ARTICLE CATEGORIES

MOST POPULAR COMMENTED ARTICLES

POPULAR ARTICLES

Rapid Report Scammers

SCARS-CDN-REPORT-SCAMEMRS-HERE

Visit SCARS www.Anyscam.com

Quick Reporting

  • Valid Emails Only

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
    Valid Phone Numbers Only

Subscribe & New Item Updates

In the U.S. & Canada

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

RATE THIS ARTICLE?

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

LEAVE A COMMENT?

Your comments help the SCARS Institute better understand all scam victim/survivor experiences and improve our services and processes. Thank you


Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Comments
On Other Articles

Important Information for New Scam Victims

If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.