, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, have arrested 120 individuals suspected){kind=link}
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, have arrested 120 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud.
The large-scale operation, conducted across various locations in Lagos State on Monday, May 19, 2025, resulted in the apprehension of 95 men and 25 women.
he suspects were reportedly involved in various forms of internet-related fraud, including phishing, identity theft, impersonation, online scams, romance fraud, and business email compromise. These activities, which exploit digital platforms to deceive and defraud victims, have gained notoriety in Nigeria and across the globe.
In a meticulously coordinated sweep, EFCC operatives stormed several hotspots within Lagos, known to be enclaves for cybercriminals. The operation led to the confiscation of valuable assets believed to have been acquired through illicit means.
Among the items recovered were 26 exotic cars, high-end smartphones, luxury jewellery, and sophisticated laptops—tools typically used in perpetrating online fraud. Additionally, numerous incriminating documents and digital records were seized for forensic analysis.
EFCC officials have confirmed that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough interrogation and investigation. Once the investigations are concluded, the suspects will be formally charged and arraigned in court. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those found culpable face the full weight of the law.
Internet fraud, locally known as “Yahoo Yahoo”, has become a serious societal menace in Nigeria. It involves the use of deceit and manipulation through the internet to extort money or sensitive information from individuals and businesses.
The EFCC continues to intensify its anti-cybercrime efforts, leveraging intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and technological tools to dismantle criminal networks.
The Lagos operation underscores the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on cybercriminality and its broader mission to safeguard Nigeria’s cyberspace and financial system from abuse.
The EFCC has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious cyber activities, noting that community cooperation remains a crucial pillar in the fight against financial and cyber crimes.