Kehinde Fajobi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians in Abuja for suspected internet fraud.
The arrests took place in a business apartment in the Gudu area, with the suspects allegedly involved in a hotel review scam targeting victims and hotels across Europe and beyond.
The commission disclosed the arrests on Thursday, 9 January 2025, via a tweet posted on its official X handle.
The tweet read: “The suspects, comprising 67 males (including four Chinese nationals) and 38 females, were allegedly involved in a hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigations.”
The EFCC has been ramping up efforts against internet fraud, with a string of recent successes.
In October 2024, the commission secured convictions for 10 individuals involved in internet fraud, impersonation, and employment scams.
The previous month, EFCC operatives executed the largest single-day crackdown on cryptocurrency and romance scam syndicates in Lagos, arresting 792 suspects, including 158 foreigners.
Additionally, the EFCC recently dismissed 27 officers for misconduct and fraudulent activities in 2024, in a bid to maintain the integrity of its workforce.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed that the dismissals followed recommendations by the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and were ratified by the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede.