The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday said its collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation has led to the arrest of 167 Nigerians for alleged computer-related frauds.
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Lagos through his representative, Mr Mohammed Abba, the commission’s Director of Operations.
Magu said that the just concluded coordinated operations with the FBI tagged: ‘Operation Rewired’, also resulted in the recovery of the sum of 169,850 dollars as well as N92 million.
He also said that four exotic cars, plots of land in choice areas in Lagos and a property in Abuja were also recovered during the operations.
“Being an international model operation targeted at computer-related frauds, the EFCC, FBI collaborative operations, spanning three weeks, was designed to intercept and interrupt the global network of internet fraudsters.
“Before now, we had relentlessly launched intensive investigative actions against the infamous ‘yahoo yahoo boys’, culminating into various strategic raids, onslaught on criminals hideout, prosecutions and convictions.
“Our efforts in collaborating and coordinating the EFCC, FBI joint operations in Nigeria recorded tremendous successes leading to a number of arrests, seizures and recoveries.
“The suspected fraudsters arrested in the course of the operation will be persecuted accordingly,” he said.
Magu, therefore, urged the media to continue to help in mobilising and educating all critical stakeholders on the need to support the fight against economic and financial crimes.
He said the society owes the youths that social responsibility of awakening their consciousness to the importance of a noble life devoid of crimes.
“I wish to state with a high sense of responsibility, there is no short cut to success other than hard work.
“The youths, therefore, must shun crime and its alluring temptations, because it will always end in sorrow and regrets.
“Now that the infamous internet crimes have received global attention and concern, there will be no hiding place for fraudsters,” he said.
