Kaduna Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 48 suspected internet fraudsters, convicted 23, and recovered N198.7m and $48,000 since January 2019 from 345 petitions.
The Zonal Head, Mr Mailafia Yakubu, who disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Kaduna, said EFCC also arrested a suspect linked to the FBI wanted list of suspected fraudsters in Kaduna. He urged youth to find something worthwhile to do and avoid vices, while tasking parents to always supervise their children and wards
“Prior to the collaboration effort with the FBI, the Kaduna Zonal office of the commission through intelligence launches several sting operations on various computer related frauds which resulted in the arrests of 48 internet fraud in their hideout among which the zone secured conviction of 23, while others are in various stages of investigation and prosecution.
“The zonal office from January to date received 345 petitions, 286 were considered for investigations, 52 forwarded to legal and prosecution department, 56 cases in court.
Kaduna Zonal office recovered the sum of N198,727,241.5 million and $48,000 US in cash and draft. The Zonal office also received 12 properties on interim forfeiture from a politician in Kaduna.
“Internet is the most widely used communication, there are good and bad things happening on the internet and among other things are ongoing attempts to scam innocent people of their money or identity. Their modus operandi, includes clone of foreign numbers which they in turn use to create fictitious emails accounts on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, Google hang out.
“They also use the same fake email addresses to open account on foreign online dating site, they open foreign bank accounts with the help of their counterpart living abroad. They also use fake documents to perpetrate illegal activities in the cyber space. Few among these type of frauds include love/romance scam, contract/ company scam, Bit coin business scam, employment scam, online dating, travel scam, impersonation scam among others.
“The alarming growth of the internet and its widespread acceptance has led to increase in security threat, the increase of this crime in our society has become alarming. The impact on this type of crime can be felt on the lives, economy and international reputation of a nation including monetary losses, piracy, loss of vital information, damage to the nation’s reputation, economic data being lost to virus attack among others.
“The commission recognizes the critical role of the press as stakeholders in the fight against corruption in the country. The press in Nigeria will continue to play vital role in holding government accountable as well as exposing corrupt people with corrupt tendency and also sensitizing the general public on the ills of corruption.
“We also want to appeal and advice the youths to desist from crime, while advising parents to closely monitor their children. The general public should be mindful on the way they handle their bank details not to fall victims of internet scammers, they should endeavour to report all bogus profit making ventures to the EFCC or any anti graft agency.”
