EFCC Arrests 792 in Historic Cybercrime Sweep in Lagos

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-story building in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was identified as a hub for training and executing these fraudulent schemes.

During a press conference on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren provided details of the raid, revealing that among the arrested were 114 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhs, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian, alongside Nigerian collaborators. Uwujaren stated that the foreign nationals were allegedly using the facility to train Nigerians in crafting and executing scams, particularly romance and investment frauds.

According to Uwujaren, the foreign trainers created fake profiles for their Nigerian counterparts, enabling them to carry out these scams. The building was reportedly outfitted with advanced desktop computers on each floor, and over 500 SIM cards from various Nigerian telecom providers were seized, likely intended for use in fraudulent activities.

This unprecedented operation demonstrates the EFCC’s determination to combat cybercrime and highlights modern fraud networks’ sophisticated and international nature. The suspects are in custody and will face legal proceedings as investigations continue.

The EFCC’s decisive action not only disrupts a major scam syndicate but also sends a strong warning to others engaged in similar activities within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This raid is critical in reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and protecting individuals from exploitation through online scams.