TheCable

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested a suspected female internet fraudster on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) list in Edo state.

Speaking with journalists on Monday, Muhtar Bello, head of Benin zonal office, who represented Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of EFCC, said the commission has arrested 113 internet fraudsters and secured the conviction of 53 others between January and now.

“As part of our strategic plans to tackle this malaise, the Benin zonal office, from January to date, through intelligence raided the hideout of internet fraudsters in our jurisdiction-Edo, Delta and Ondo state,” Bello said.

“These raids led to the arrest of 113 internet fraudsters. While the prosecution of many of the cases is ongoing in court, we have so far secured 53 convictions in the period under review.”

He said the female suspect, whose name was not disclosed, worked in collaboration with fraudsters outside Nigeria.

He said the suspect was involved in obtaining and stealing people’s identification information which she forwards to her collaborators abroad.

“The suspect is involved in obtaining and stealing people’s identification and information,” Bello said.

“She sends them to her American collaborators. They use the information to file for fraudulent tax returns with the internal revenue service.”

He said the suspect receives her share of the crime proceed through bitcoin, adding that about 185 of the cryptocurrency, worth N656,000,000 was traced to her.

He added that the suspect used the proceeds to open businesses which have been confiscated by the commission, saying that her name could not be disclosed in order not to compromise ongoing investigations.

The zonal head also said the anti-graft agency arrested two siblings who are allegedly involved in business email compromise.

“The suspects’ modus operandi was searching for victims email addresses, especially official business email addresses, create a fishy link and compromising the process in order to catch unsuspecting victims,” he said.

“The three suspects will have their date in court soon. We do not want to state the woman’s name so as not to compromise investigation.

“The commission is resolute in exterminating cybercrime and bringing to book all those involved in this despicable activity.”

He charged Nigerians to expose people “without any identifiable source of livelihood”, saying the commission will not relent in its fight against financial crimes.

He said over 30 exotic cars, computers, mobile phones, charms, flash drives, and internet modems were recovered from the 113 suspects who were arrested.

Last week, the agency announced the arrest of three suspects wanted by FBI.