Nigeria Arrests 105 In Major Crackdown On Hotel Review Fraud Scheme

Nigerian authorities arrest 105 suspects, including four Chinese nationals, in a crackdown on a fake hotel review scam targeting UK residents. Learn how the scheme operated and the EFCC’s efforts to curb cybercrime.

Nigerian authorities dismantle a complex internet fraud network targeting UK residents with fake hotel bookings.

In a significant breakthrough against internet fraud, Nigerian authorities have uncovered a sophisticated hotel review scam that primarily targeted UK residents. The operation led to the arrest of 105 individuals, including four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians, all involved in the elaborate scheme.

How the Scam Worked
The fraudsters lured unsuspecting victims into leaving ratings for hotels, offering small monetary rewards as an incentive. Victims were then encouraged to make bookings at these “rated” hotels, often costing as much as $500. They were promised repayment with substantial interest via cryptocurrency wallets bearing their names. However, these wallets turned out to be inaccessible, leaving victims empty-handed.

EFCC’s Major Operation in Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spearheaded the operation, which uncovered the syndicate’s base at Naka Hall Plaza, located on Abutu Garba Street in Gudu, Abuja. During the raid, 100 compact workstations used to execute the fraudulent activities were recovered.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s spokesperson, revealed that the suspects employed fake foreign identities to target their victims, with UK residents being their primary focus.

Foreign Nationals as Masterminds
The fraudulent network was reportedly led by the four Chinese nationals who orchestrated and supervised the scam. They recruited and trained young Nigerians in advanced technical skills to act as customer service representatives. These representatives followed a predesigned script to manipulate and deceive victims online.

Connection to Previous Scams
This crackdown follows another major operation weeks earlier, in which 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese nationals, were apprehended for involvement in cryptocurrency and romance scams. The EFCC disclosed that foreign nationals often use corporate apartments masquerading as business centers to train Nigerian accomplices in executing these scams.

Growing Trend of Cybercrime Training
Authorities have raised concerns over the increasing number of foreign nationals teaching Nigerians internet-related crimes. This alarming trend underscores the need for greater international cooperation to combat cybercrime effectively.

Conclusion
The EFCC’s crackdown on this fake hotel review scam highlights the agency’s commitment to curbing cybercrime and protecting unsuspecting victims from falling prey to these schemes. However, the rise of foreign-led fraud networks calls for heightened vigilance and collaboration between local and international authorities.