In a historic crackdown on cybercrime in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 individuals suspected of participating in cryptocurrency and romance scams. The operation targeted a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was identified as the training center and execution of these fraud schemes.
During a press conference on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren provided details of the raid, revealing that among those arrested were 114 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhs , a Pakistani and an Indonesian, along with Nigerian collaborators. Uwujaren claimed that foreign nationals allegedly used the facility to train Nigerians to engineer and carry out scams, especially romance and investment scams.
According to Uwujaren, foreign lecturers created fake profiles for their Nigerian counterparts, enabling them to carry out these scams. The building is said to be equipped with advanced desktop computers on each floor and over 500 SIM cards from various telecommunications service providers in Nigeria were seized, possibly intended to be used for illegal activities. fraudulent activity.
NIGERIA’S EFCC ARRESTS 792 IN MASSIVE CRYPTO FRAUD RAID AT LAGOS
– The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has carried out its largest operation to date, arresting 792 people in a raid on a suspected crypto romance scam center in Lagos.
Main details:
– Among… https://t.co/Uenl3ZZqi6 pic.twitter.com/wtRLssCEEg
– BSCN (@BSCNews) December 17, 2024
This unprecedented operation demonstrates the EFCC’s determination to fight cybercrime and highlights the complex and international nature of modern fraud networks. The suspects are in custody and will face legal proceedings as the investigation continues.
The EFCC’s decisive action not only disrupted a major fraud syndicate but also sent a strong warning to others engaging in similar activities within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This raid is important in reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and protecting individuals from being exploited through online scams.
