EFCC Busts Major Cybercrime Syndicate In Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully dismantled a massive cybercrime syndicate in Lagos, arresting 792 suspects, including Nigerian, Chinese, Arab, and Filipino nationals, for their involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.

Surprise Raid in Lagos

The EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed during a press briefing on Monday that the arrests followed months of surveillance. The operation took place on December 10, at a seven-storey building known as Bigleaf, located at 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Among those apprehended were 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhstani nationals, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.

According to Mr. Uwujaren, the building, which appeared to be a corporate financial establishment, was being used to train Nigerian accomplices in executing romance and investment scams. The suspects allegedly utilized fake Nigerian identities to perpetrate their activities.

Criminal Operations Exposed

EFCC investigations revealed that the syndicate operated independently with its own power supply to facilitate its criminal activities. The facility was equipped with high-end desktop computers and SIM cards procured for fraudulent purposes. On the fifth floor alone, investigators discovered 500 SIM cards linked to local telecom providers, reportedly used for scamming victims.

The EFCC’s acting director in Lagos, Michael Wetkaz, explained that Nigerian nationals were recruited by foreign syndicate leaders to target victims, primarily from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and European countries, through phishing and fake online profiles. These accomplices were provided with desktop computers, mobile devices, and logs granting access to foreign communication lines.

“The Nigerian accomplices engage with victims on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram, using fake foreign profiles. They initiate romantic conversations or phantom business discussions to lure victims into investing in sham online platforms. Activation fees for these platforms start at $35,” Mr. Wetkaz stated.

Recruitment and Training

Recruits needed to demonstrate proficiency in typing before undergoing a two-week induction program. During this period, they were trained to impersonate foreign individuals and convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Once a Nigerian accomplice gained the victim’s trust, foreign syndicate members took over, excluding the Nigerian accomplices from the network and the transaction details.

Many Nigerian recruits were unaware of their employer’s identity, as they received no formal employment letters or payments through corporate accounts. Instead, they were paid in cash or through personal accounts.

Items Recovered

The EFCC recovered numerous items during the raid, including desktop computers, mobile phones, laptops, and vehicles. Mr. Wetkaz confirmed that the suspects are being held under a valid remand warrant and will soon face court proceedings.

Overwhelmed Facilities

The unprecedented number of detainees has overwhelmed EFCC’s Lagos detention facilities. Many suspects are being temporarily held in office spaces due to inadequate cell capacity.

Related Arrests in Abuja

This operation follows a similar crackdown in November, where police arrested 130 suspects, including 113 foreigners, for cybercrime activities in Abuja. The foreign nationals, hailing from countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brazil, were charged with hacking and cyber activities threatening national security. The Federal High Court in Abuja granted them bail at N200 million each, with stringent conditions that reflect their foreign status.

Conclusion

The EFCC’s recent operations underscore its commitment to combating cybercrime in Nigeria. Investigations into the syndicate’s activities are ongoing, with efforts focused on uncovering potential links to international fraud networks.