Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended a total of forty-four (44) suspected internet fraudsters across various locations in the densely populated states of Ebonyi and Anambra.
According to a statement by the commission on their X account, these arrests took place in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday, specifically on September 28 and 29, 2024, following actionable intelligence that linked these individuals to a web of suspected online criminal activities.
The operatives, equipped with detailed information, executed their operations with precision and urgency, moving stealthily in the stillness of dawn.
Upon their capture, initial investigations revealed a troubling pattern: the suspects exploited widely-used social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to ensnare unsuspecting victims. Some perpetrators were adept at crafting elaborate, fake identities, engaging foreign nationals in emotional entanglements with the sole intent of financial exploitation.
Meanwhile, others were discovered in possession of an alarming number of fraudulent documents stored within their devices, highlighting the extent of their deceitful operations.
In addition to this incriminating evidence, law enforcement officers recovered a cache of technology, including high-powered laptops and a variety of sophisticated mobile phones, each containing critical data that could unravel more about their intricate schemes.
The statement added that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
