BAUCHI POLICE ARREST NOTORIOUS ONLINE FRAUDSTER ‘SNAKE’ LINKED TO MULTIPLE SCAMS SINCE 2019

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial fraudster, Umar Yau, popularly known as ‘Snake’, over a string of online scams involving fake social media identities and deceptive bank transactions.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil, who said the suspect, a resident of the Yelwan Makaranta area in Bauchi metropolis, was tracked and apprehended following a detailed investigation triggered by a petition from an online businesswoman, Mrs. Fatimah Bawahab.

Wakil explained that the complaint detailed a fraudulent scheme operated by an individual using the Facebook name “Amizeebaby Muhd” and soliciting payments into accounts registered under the name Hansatu Yau. The suspect allegedly blocked victims after receiving payments.

“Initial reports began in March 2022, when one Nafiu Muhammad alerted Mrs. Bawahab about the scam. Subsequently, several individuals informed her in 2023 that a Facebook account impersonating her identity was being used to deceive others,” Wakil stated.

He noted that the impersonation led to numerous people making payments to the same fraudulent account, prompting further suspicion and confirmation of foul play.

Acting on the petition, the Commissioner of Police ordered the Monitoring Unit to open a discreet investigation. On June 5, 2025, around 9 p.m., detectives using advanced technology tracked and arrested Umar Yau, confirming him as the operator behind the impersonation and online fraud.

Recovered from the suspect were nine ATM cards from various banks, a bank account form fraudulently completed using his sister’s identity, multiple ID cards, SIM cards, a mobile Wi-Fi device, and a smartphone box. Investigators also discovered that Yau had defrauded victims in cryptocurrency schemes, with up to 40 reported cases linked to his name.

“Yau admitted to engaging in cyber fraud for over five years, using several aliases including Yau Hansatu and Umar Yau,” Wakil said.

The suspect has since been transferred to the Kano State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.