Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 individuals, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a massive crackdown on alleged international online fraud. The operation took place on December 10, 2024, at the Big Leaf Building, a seven-story luxury property in Lagos, widely believed to be a hub for global cybercrime activities.
EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren disclosed that the suspects used the building as a call center to target victims in the Americas and Europe. The fraudsters exploited social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to lure victims with romance scams or fraudulent cryptocurrency investment opportunities. After establishing trust, victims were coerced into transferring money into fake schemes.
During the raid, the EFCC seized numerous items, including computers, mobile phones, and luxury vehicles. Uwujaren explained that Nigerian accomplices initiated contact with victims, while their foreign counterparts executed the scams.
The EFCC is collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to investigate potential links to organized crime networks. The operation underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect victims worldwide.