The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 foreign nationals in Lagos for their alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams. This operation is the largest in the commission’s history.
Key Details:
1. Nationalities: Among those arrested are 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Khazartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.
2. Hideout: The suspects were apprehended in a surprise operation at their hideout, a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building, located at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
3. Modus Operandi: The foreign suspects recruited Nigerian accomplices to target victims primarily in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various European countries through phishing schemes.
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4. Fraudulent Activities: They used Nigerian identities to carry out their fraudulent schemes, creating fake profiles to engage victims in fraudulent romantic and business conversations.
5. Investment Scam: The scammers encouraged victims to register on a fake online investment platform, where they were required to pay activation fees starting at $35 to open an account.
