EFCC arrests 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, other suspects over international online fraud scheme
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested 792 suspects in a raid targeting a major international fraud syndicate operating from a Lagos-based building.
The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, revealed that the raid occurred on December 10 at the seven-storey Big Leaf Building in Lagos, believed to serve as a hub for orchestrating romance and investment scams. Among those detained were 148 Chinese nationals and 40 Filipinos, alongside other suspects.
Uwujaren explained that the building functioned as a call center targeting victims primarily in the Americas and Europe. Staff members used platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media channels to contact individuals, often luring them through romantic ploys or enticing them with seemingly lucrative cryptocurrency investment opportunities.
Once victims were convinced, they were pressured to transfer funds into fake cryptocurrency schemes or other fraudulent ventures.
“Nigerian accomplices were recruited by the foreign kingpins to prospect for victims online through phishing, targeting mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and others in European countries,” Uwujaren stated. “Once the Nigerians gained the confidence of would-be victims, the foreigners would take over the actual task of defrauding them.”
The EFCC seized computers, phones, and vehicles during the operation. Uwujaren added that the agency is collaborating with international partners to investigate potential links to organized crime.
