In a recent operation against cybercrime and cryptocurrency fraud syndicates in Lagos, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended 193 foreign nationals among a total of 792 suspects. The raid took place at the Big Leaf Building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island.
During a press conference, the EFCC revealed that among the foreign suspects were individuals from China, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The suspects were found using the building to train Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams, utilizing their identities to carry out criminal activities.
The EFCC emphasized the significance of this operation in combating financial crimes and ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for criminals. The syndicate operated by recruiting and training young Nigerians in cyber fraud, with evidence of high-end computers and numerous SIM cards linked to local telecom networks found in the building.
The suspects were trained to engage victims through fake profiles on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, leading them to invest in a fraudulent website. The EFCC highlighted that the Nigerian accomplices were exploited by the foreign kingpins, who excluded them from the fraudulent transactions.
Following the arrests, the EFCC seized various items like computers, mobile phones, and vehicles from the suspects for forensic examination. The commission is collaborating with international partners to uncover connections to global crime networks and ensure that the suspects face prosecution.
The EFCC’s crackdown on financial crimes aims to protect Nigeria’s reputation and deliver justice to victims worldwide, sending a clear message that criminals, whether local or foreign, will not find refuge in Nigeria.