Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the Enugu Zonal Directorate have arrested 44 suspected internet fraudsters in a major operation across Enugu and Anambra States.
The coordinated arrests, conducted in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, 2024, were made following actionable intelligence linking the suspects to various online criminal activities.
According to an official statement from the EFCC, the suspects were apprehended at different locations in the two states, where they had been allegedly engaging in fraudulent activities through social media platforms.
Investigations disclosed that the suspects primarily targeted unsuspecting individuals, particularly foreign nationals, by creating fake identities and profiles on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to lure victims into fraudulent schemes.
Many of the suspects were involved in so-called “romance scams,” where they manipulated victims into believing they were in romantic relationships, with the intent of defrauding them.
Upon their arrest, the EFCC operatives conducted searches that uncovered a variety of incriminating materials.
Preliminary investigations showed that many of the suspects had stored fraudulent documents on their devices, which were used to carry out their schemes.
Items seized from them include several laptops and sophisticated mobile phones, which were believed to have been instrumental in their online scams.
A source within the EFCC stated, “We have been monitoring these individuals for some time, following intelligence reports about their activities. Their fraudulent schemes have caused financial losses to many innocent victims, both within and outside the country.”
The EFCC also highlighted the growing trend of cybercrime and the use of digital platforms by fraudsters to target vulnerable people. The agency reiterated its commitment to fighting internet fraud and urged the public to be cautious of online interactions, especially with individuals they have never met in person.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are being interrogated.
The EFCC has assured the public that they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.
The agency has also vowed to intensify its efforts in tracking down other individuals involved in similar fraudulent activities across the country.
This latest operation underscores the EFCC’s ongoing crackdown on internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys” in Nigeria.
The agency continues to collaborate with local and international partners to combat cybercrime, a growing menace that affects millions of people worldwide.
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