Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have struck a major blow against cybercrime with the arrest of 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State.

In a statement released via its official X handle, the EFCC revealed that the arrests took place during the early hours of Saturday morning at a notorious “Yahoo Party” simultaneously held at Signature and Abah Clubs in Akure, the state capital.

The statement highlighted the strategic maneuvering of the alleged perpetrators, stating, “Credible intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024, but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.”

According to the anti-graft agency, the suspects have provided valuable information to investigators, aiding in the crackdown on cybercrime.

The haul from the operation included a variety of assets seized from the suspects, comprising 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops, motorcycles, wristwatches, and numerous incriminating documents.

As investigations continue, the EFCC has declared its intent to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice, affirming, “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of substantial sums of money and numerous properties associated with Mr. Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The order, granted by Justice Yellim Bogoro on Thursday, May 23, 2024, followed an ex-parte application by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilkisu Buhari.

“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support,” stated Justice Bogoro in her ruling. “I find merit in the application and same is hereby granted as prayed.”

The court directed the publication of the order in a national daily to allow interested parties to present their case before the final forfeiture decision, scheduled for July 2.

The sums of $4,719,054 and N830,875,611, along with various properties, were forfeited to the Federal Government. These funds were reportedly warehoused in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, and operated by several entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, and others.

Among the forfeited properties are 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction in Ikoyi, Lagos; an 11-floor office space at Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and various parcels of land and completed properties across Lagos, Texas, and Chevron Nigeria.

The EFCC sought the interim forfeiture under various legal provisions, including Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 14, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, as well as the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The anti-graft agency specifically requested the court for interim orders forfeiting the funds and properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and directing the publication of the order in a national newspaper for interested parties to show cause why final forfeiture should not be made in favor of the Federal Government.

Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a man, Chimereze Chinedu, for allegedly defrauding a Thai to the tune of $216,000 and N30m respectively.

Disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday via his X handle, the state’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspect promised to supply his victim with 37 tricycles which he valued at $216,000.

“In a move to further extort money from his victim, the suspect was said to have forged letters from the State Criminal Investigation Department to lure his victim into believing that the tricycles were seized by the police,” Hundeyin added.

According to Hundeyin, the suspect allegedly used the forged documents to obtain another sum of N30m from the victim to secure the release of the seized tricycles.

“Chimereze defrauded his victim under the pretence of selling 37 tricycles to her. He further expanded his fraudulent activity by forging letters of the State Criminal Investigative Department, Lagos showing that the tricycles were seized by the police and further extorted N30m from the victim to purportedly secure the release of the tricycles,” the police spokesman said.

The state police command said the “suspect was arrested on May 10, 2024, in Enugu State” following weeks of investigation and a collaboration with officials of the International Criminal Police Organisation.

The police spokesperson explained that efforts were going on to apprehend other accomplices of the suspect while stressing the command’s commitment to combating internet fraud.