By Ollus Ndomu
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 suspects in a major raid on a Lagos building used for international online fraud. The suspects include 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals involved in a sophisticated call center operation targeting victims in the Americas and Europe.
The fraudsters used social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to lure people with promises of romance or fake investment opportunities, particularly in cryptocurrency. Once trust was gained, victims were pressured to transfer funds into fraudulent schemes.
The Nigerian accomplices initially contacted the victims, while their foreign partners managed the defrauding process. The EFCC said the operation was a significant blow to online fraud networks exploiting global vulnerabilities.
This raid highlights the growing problem of cybercrime in Nigeria and its international reach. It underscores the need for stronger global cooperation to combat such crimes, which exploit trust and technological advancements for financial gain.
With this arrest, the EFCC sends a clear message that no one involved in online fraud—regardless of nationality—will be safe from prosecution in Nigeria.
