Romance Scam Crackdown: EFCC Nabs Hundreds of Foreigners in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 individuals, including 193 foreigners, in Lagos for alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.
This operation was carried out at a seven-story building in Victoria Island, following months of surveillance.
The suspects include 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, and individuals from other countries, who reportedly trained Nigerian accomplices to engage in online scams targeting victims globally.
The operation uncovered extensive evidence, including high-end desktop computers, 500 SIM cards, and fake online profiles used to defraud victims through platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram.
Investigations revealed that the suspects used a fraudulent platform, Yooto.com, to deceive victims into making payments.
Many of the Nigerians involved were unaware of the real identities of their employers, as payments were often made informally.