148 Chinese, 645 Others Busted in Lagos Cyberfraud and Romance Scam Operation
If you thought crime syndicates were hiding in some dark alleys, think again. Last Tuesday, a seven-storey building at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, turned out to be the epicenter of a massive cybercrime bust – and it was anything but ordinary. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pulled off a record-breaking raid, arresting 792 suspects in one swoop. Out of this number, 193 were foreign nationals, including 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, and a handful from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
So, what went down exactly? Buckle up because this story has all the twists!
Inside the Cybercrime Den
Imagine walking into what looks like the swanky headquarters of a financial firm. Clean offices, sleek computers, and high-end gadgets are everywhere. But nope, it wasn’t legit at all. This building was the training ground for a well-organized syndicate running cyber scams, romance frauds, and crypto investment cons. According to the EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, the criminals trained young Nigerians to participate in the scam. What’s wild is how they did it!
These Nigerians were coached to create fake social media profiles and sweet-talk unsuspecting victims on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram. What started as innocent chats eventually led to “investment opportunities” on a fake platform, www.yooto.com, with activation fees kicking off at $35. Once the victims were lured in, the foreign masterminds swooped in and took over the scam while the Nigerians were left out of the big-money moves.
EFCC’s Power Play: The Big Raid
Picture this: A full-fledged raid on every single floor of the building. The EFCC found high-end desktop computers everywhere, and the fifth floor alone had 500 SIM cards linked to Nigerian telecom networks – like, who does that?! This wasn’t just any random operation; it was months of careful planning and intel gathering. The big bosses behind the operation clearly thought Nigeria was the perfect “hideout,” but EFCC came through and flipped the script.
“This is a huge win for us. These criminals thought Nigeria would be their safe space, but we proved them wrong,” said Olukoyede during a press briefing at the Lagos Zonal Directorate. Mic drop.
A Smarter Syndicate? Not Anymore!
Here’s something that hit differently. The Nigerian accomplices weren’t even getting the bag properly! No official contracts, no formal salaries – just cash payments or transfers to personal accounts. Basically, the foreign nationals milked Nigeria’s reputation as an “online fraud hub” to run their shady business and keep the real cash flow to themselves.
The raid also shattered a huge misconception: not every online scam that seems to originate from Nigeria is run by Nigerians. Sometimes, foreign criminals use Nigeria as a cover, and this operation laid it bare for all to see.
What Did EFCC Find?
This raid didn’t just nab suspects; EFCC seized desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, and even vehicles. As we speak, the devices are undergoing forensic analysis to connect more dots. EFCC is also collaborating with international agencies to track ties to global crime networks. Yup, they’re leaving no stone unturned!
Justice is Coming
These suspects aren’t walking away scot-free. EFCC secured valid remand warrants, and the foreign kingpins, along with their Nigerian accomplices, will soon face the heat in court. The message is clear: Nigeria isn’t a playground for fraudsters anymore, whether you’re local or international.
Olukoyede summed it up perfectly: “Criminals will find no hiding place in Nigeria.” Boom.
Wrapping Up
This EFCC bust is proof that cybercriminals are running out of luck. A seven-storey crime den, 148 Chinese nationals, and hundreds of others are now out of business. Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes is on fire, and EFCC isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
