TheCable

Undergraduates of various institutions were among 34 suspects arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their involvement in romance scams and other financial crimes.

Wilson Uwujaren, head of EFCC media and publicity, stated this in a release he signed on Thursday.

He said an early morning raid on the undergraduates’ hideouts in Ibadan led to the arrest while exotic cars, computers, and other items were seized from the suspects.

Uwujaren added that in a separate operation, some suspects were also arrested in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

The statement read: “A total of 34 suspected internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys. They were apprehended in separate operations in Ibadan, Oyo state and Lagos.

“Twenty four of the suspects, most of who claimed to be undergraduates, were rounded up today April 1, 2021 at their hideout in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo state by operatives from the Ibadan zonal office of the commission.

“The early morning raid followed actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes. The arrest led to the recovery of valuable items, including four exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and several incriminating documents.

“The remaining ten suspects were arrested by Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office on March 30, 2021at Horizon II Estate, Meadow Hall Way, Lekki, Lagos following credible information on their alleged criminal activities.

“Some of the suspects are allegedly involved in romance scam, unemployment benefits scam, identity theft, and purchase of malicious tools to compromise corporate email accounts and intercept email messages.”

Uwujaren said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.