In a renewed effort to curb cybercrime and restore integrity to Nigeria’s digital space, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 78 suspected internet fraudsters during coordinated raids across multiple states.
The arrests, which were carried out by various zonal commands of the Commission, followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaborative operations with local law enforcement units. Most of the suspects were reportedly caught in the act or with incriminating materials, including laptops, mobile devices, luxury vehicles, and exotic gadgets suspected to be proceeds of fraudulent online activities.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, the suspects were picked up from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu, and Uyo, among other locations known to be hotspots for cybercrime.
“The Commission remains committed to its mandate of ridding Nigeria of all forms of economic and financial crimes, especially cyber-related offences, which have continued to damage the country’s image globally and defraud unsuspecting victims,” the EFCC spokesperson said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that many of the suspects allegedly specialized in romance scams, identity theft, fraudulent investment schemes, and impersonation of foreign nationals, particularly targeting victims from the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Items recovered during the raids include over 120 smartphones, 33 laptops, 10 luxury cars, and documents containing sensitive data such as credit card numbers, fake international passports, and social media login credentials.
The EFCC confirmed that all 78 suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations. The agency also hinted at plans to intensify its public sensitization campaigns aimed at educating young Nigerians about the dangers and consequences of engaging in internet fraud.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s cybercrime reputation, especially among its youth population. While the federal government has continued to promote digital innovation and inclusion, security experts say more needs to be done to combat the proliferation of cyber-related crimes through stricter enforcement and moral reorientation.
Stakeholders in the ICT sector have urged young Nigerians to channel their skills toward legitimate tech ventures such as software development, ethical hacking, data science, and fintech, which are in high demand globally.
The EFCC has assured the public that it will not relent in its efforts to sanitize the cyberspace and protect the country’s image, while also encouraging citizens to report suspicious online activities through its official platforms.
