The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has confirmed the arrest of 120 individuals suspected of involvement in a wide range of internet-related fraud schemes across Lagos State.
This large-scale operation, announced on Monday, marks one of the most significant coordinated crackdowns on cybercrime in the region in recent years.
According to an official EFCC statement, the arrests were the culmination of weeks of intense surveillance and intelligence gathering targeting known cybercrime hotspots throughout Lagos. The agency worked meticulously to dismantle sophisticated online fraud networks operating within the metropolis.
The suspects were apprehended in simultaneous raids conducted in various parts of the state, including Lagos Island, Ikeja, Lekki, and Surulere.
They are alleged to have engaged in multiple forms of cyber fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, phishing attacks, and business email compromise schemes—frauds that have collectively defrauded victims both within Nigeria and internationally of millions of Naira and foreign currencies.
EFCC disclosed that digital evidence recovered from the suspects comprises over 200 mobile phones, more than 100 laptops, numerous hard drives, SIM cards, and other electronic devices. These items are currently undergoing detailed forensic analysis to uncover the full extent of their illicit activities.
In addition, law enforcement seized luxury vehicles, fake passports and identification documents, and substantial amounts of foreign currency—highlighting the lucrative nature of these cybercriminal operations.
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The suspects range in age from late teens to early forties, many of whom reportedly operated sophisticated call centers and internet cafes that served as fronts for their fraudulent activities.
Some individuals were found to be operating elaborate phishing schemes targeting foreign companies, while others specialized in duping vulnerable individuals through online dating and social media platforms.
The EFCC has assured that all those arrested will face prosecution once the ongoing investigations are completed.
The agency also emphasized its unyielding commitment to combating cybercrime and urged the public to exercise caution when conducting transactions online and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.
This operation underscores the growing sophistication and scale of cybercrime networks in Nigeria and the EFCC’s intensified efforts to disrupt and dismantle these criminal enterprises.
It serves as a stern warning to cybercriminals that their activities will not be tolerated and that the commission remains vigilant in protecting citizens and the nation’s digital space.
The Guardian
