By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Operatives of the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday carried out a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The operation, which began at 5 a.m., led to the arrest of 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters and the recovery of five exotic cars, the Commission said.
According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly obtain money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrencies, and international money transfers by impersonating several individuals.
It said the arrests were made professionally following diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the suspects’ activities.
During the operation, a young woman who allegedly attempted to alert the suspects by making phone calls was held, and her phone was confiscated until the operation ended. The phone was later released to her, the EFCC stated.
Preliminary investigations indicted 19 of the suspects, while two have been released.
The Commission said all indicted suspects will be arraigned in court immediately.
“The sting operation at Applewood Estate was professionally carried out, with no record of harassment, intimidation, or unlawful arrest of anyone,” the EFCC said.
It added that it remains open to constructive engagement by well-meaning Nigerians but that blackmailers and alarmists will not be allowed to sabotage its mandate while urging the public to condemn activities bringing the nation to disrepute.
