EFCC Releases List Of Nine Internet Fraud Hubs In Lagos

EFCC Releases List Of Nine Internet Fraud Hubs In Lagos
EFCC Releases List Of Nine Internet Fraud Hubs In Lagos
WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
LinkedIn
Print

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has listed nine areas in Lagos State as hotbeds where suspected internet fraudsters mostly operate from.

According to the data released by the anti-graft agency on Friday which was obtained by Africa Daily News, New York, most of the areas are in Lekki.

It was gathered that while seven of the areas are on the Island, two are on Mainland.

The data showed that no fewer than 159 suspects were arrested in the areas in three months, from which 13 convictions were made.

Amongst the areas listed are – Ajah, Badore, Victoria Garden City, Sangotedo, Oniru, Ikoyi, Eko Atlantic, Ikorodu, and Alagbado.

Read Also: Kogi Govt Threatens To Sue EFCC Over Salary Bailout Funds

The EFCC said, ‘Between April and June 2021, the Advance Fee Fraud and Cyber Crime Sections of the Command recorded a total of 402 internet-related fraud arrests.

‘While the Advance Fee Fraud Section was responsible for 243 arrests, the Cyber Crime Section executed 18 sting operations which resulted in 159 arrests, from which 13 convictions have so far been recorded.

‘Of the 159 suspects arrested by the Cyber Crime Section, 70 are from Lekki, comprising communities such as Ajah, Badore, Victoria Garden City, Sangotedo, and Oniru.

‘Ajah accounted for 24 suspects, while Oniru and Sangotedo had 14 and 13 suspects respectively. Badore had 8 suspects. Neighbouring Ikoyi and Eko Atlantic had two and one suspects each. Ikorodu and Alagbado on the Lagos Mainland make up the remainder.’

EFCC categorised the majority of those affected as millennials, students, and dropouts.

Analysis of the data from the Cyber Crime Section further shows that the dominant form of internet crime is Dating Scam/Online Dating Scam/Romance Scam.

The data showed that 64 percent of individuals arrested are involved in romance scam, followed closely by ‘Middle Man Scam’ and ‘Picking’ which account for eight percent and seven percent respectively of those arrested.

‘The 64 percent involved in the dating scam benefitted to the tune of N8, 310,000; $349,290 USD; £ 900; €10 and Cryptocurrency 0.17513.

‘Other typologies of fraud identified include forgery, possession of fraudulent documents, spamming, credit card fraud, impersonation, rental scam, loan fraud, Business Email Compromise, Hacking, stealing, cheque scam, phishing, and money laundering,’ part of the statement added.

AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK

 

WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
LinkedIn
Print