The recent arrest of 792 suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scam is a significant milestone in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria. The suspects, including 193 foreigners and 599 Nigerians, were apprehended at their hideout in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
According to the EFCC's Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects were operating from an imposing seven-storey building known as Big Leaf Building on Oyin Jolayemi Street. The foreign nationals, including Chinese, Filipinos, Kharzartans, Pakistanis, and Indonesians, were using the facility to train their Nigerian accomplices on how to perpetrate romance and investment scams. The Nigerian accomplices were responsible for engaging victims in romantic conversations and phantom business and investment discussions, while the foreigners took over the actual task of defrauding the victims.
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| The building where arrests were made |
The suspects were found in possession of high-end computers, mobile phones, and hundreds of SIM cards, which were used for criminal purposes. They targeted victims from countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various European nations. The Nigerians recruited by the foreigners were selected based on their proficiency in computer skills, especially typing.
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| One of the offices within the seven-story building |
It is clear from this operation that foreigners are taking advantage of Nigeria's unfortunate reputation as a hub for fraud to carry out their criminal activities. However, the EFCC is determined to root out cybercriminals, both foreign and domestic, and bring them to justice. The agency is currently working closely with its international partners to investigate the extent of the scam and identify any possible collaborations with organized crime networks.
The arrest of these suspects should serve as a warning to others involved in cybercrime that there will be no hiding places in Nigeria. The EFCC is committed to protecting the country's reputation and ensuring that perpetrators of fraud are brought to justice. It is essential for all individuals to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities to help combat cybercrime in Nigeria.
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