Nigeria TV Info – Microsoft Shuts Down 340 Websites Linked to Nigerian Phishing Ring

Microsoft Inc. announced on Tuesday that it has successfully seized nearly 340 websites connected to Raccoon0365, a rapidly expanding Nigeria-based phishing service accused of stealing credentials from more than 5,000 Microsoft users.

The tech giant secured an order earlier this month from the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to dismantle domains associated with the subscription-based cybercrime operation. According to Steven Masada, Assistant General Counsel for Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, the takedown unfolded over several days and targeted Raccoon0365’s network, which operated primarily through a private Telegram channel with more than 850 subscribers.

Launched in July 2024, the phishing service allowed subscribers to impersonate trusted global brands and lure victims into submitting their Microsoft login details on fake webpages. Microsoft investigators identified Joshua Ogundipe, a Nigerian national, as the mastermind of the scheme, which has reportedly generated at least $100,000 in cryptocurrency payments. Ogundipe declined to respond to requests for comment.

“Cybercriminals don’t need to be sophisticated to cause widespread harm,” Masada stated in a blog post. “Simple tools like Raccoon0365 make cybercrime accessible to virtually anyone, putting millions of users at risk.”