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In its ongoing campaign against illicit activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody 18 young men suspected of internet fraud.
The individuals are thought to have participated in various types of cybercrime, including cyber extortion, online fraud, and hacking.
They were apprehended by operatives from the EFCC's Ibadan Zonal Directorate during a coordinated raid aimed at eliminating cyber-related offenses in communities.
Information gathered suggests that the arrests were based on reliable intelligence regarding the suspects' alleged involvement in internet fraud at Prime Garden Hotel, situated in Atun-Iju along Idi-Iroko Road in Ogun State.
Among those detained was a suspected ringleader who is accused of scamming a foreign victim out of an astonishing ₦200 million.
A statement from the anti-graft agency indicated that the operation followed weeks of surveillance and monitoring of the suspects’ unlawful activities.
The EFCC reported that numerous items associated with the suspects' illicit activities were seized during the operation.
These items include a red Lexus IS 250, a box of jewelry, various foreign and local currencies, a U.S. driver's license belonging to an individual named Eva Lovia, and an ID card of a male U.S. military officer named Julian Arroyo.
Other items confiscated include several laptop computers and incriminating documents believed to be used for online fraud. Meanwhile, the EFCC announced that all suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court once the investigations are finalized.
The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to eliminating internet fraud and other criminal activities, encouraging the public to continue providing valuable information to support its efforts.
