NGO Founder Martins Otse Loses N180 Million to Hackers, One Suspect Arrested
Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan and renowned for his philanthropic work, has fallen victim to a major security breach. Hackers reportedly infiltrated the account tied to his non-governmental organization (NGO), stealing approximately N180 million.
Otse disclosed the incident on his Instagram account, stating that the breach targeted the funds raised for the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, launched in October. The initiative had quickly garnered over N35 million in donations and later received a significant N100 million contribution from celebrated music producer Don Jazzy.
Funds Diverted, PND Applied
In his statement, Otse revealed that the hacked account has been flagged with a Payment Network Disconnection (PND). Of the stolen sum, N160 million was transferred to an undisclosed account, while the remaining N20 million is still within the compromised account.
Investigation Underway
Otse announced that a suspect has been apprehended in connection with the crime. Sharing his frustration, he said:
“For the past few days, I’ve not been myself. The NGO money, somebody hacked into the NGO website… N180 million naira is missing. Thank God we have tracked the person and we are on our way to Jos.”
He added that the app tied to the NGO’s operations has been shut down for maintenance to prevent further issues.
Optimism Amid Challenges
Despite the setback, Otse expressed hope for recovering the stolen funds. “Hopefully, we get the money back,” he said, while also urging supporters to remain patient as the investigation unfolds.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by digital platforms handling large financial transactions, particularly in the non-profit sector. Otse assured the public of his commitment to transparency and the continuation of his philanthropic work.
WATCH: Nigerian Blogger VeryDarkMan Says Hackers Stole N180Million From His NGO Account, One Arrested pic.twitter.com/R2tPjzKMwU
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 27, 2024