EFCC arrests 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Kwara

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has arrested 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Kwara State.

According to a statement released by the EFCC Media Office, “the suspects were picked up in the early hours of Tuesday during sting operations carried out in Tanke, University Road, Oshin, and Agbabiaka areas of the state capital.”

The commission said the arrests followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to cybercrime activities within Ilorin.

EFCC disclosed that items recovered from them included “seven exotic cars, among them a latest model Toyota Corolla and a Lexus, two motorcycles, as well as expensive phones and laptops allegedly used for internet fraud.”

The statement added, “The suspects will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.”

PUNCH Online reported that the EFCC had earlier warned against the rising cases of internet fraud, which are worsening visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians abroad.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, gave the charge on September 15, at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs.

“The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities. Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad,” the statement read.