EFCC arrests 30 suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’ as court convicts 17 Internet fraudsters

Etim Ekpimah

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete.

The suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud activities.

Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said part of the intelligence indicated that suspected internet fraudsters were operating in campuses around Ilorin metropolis to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned income.

Based on the intelligence, and weeks of surveillance, operatives of the Commission on September 19, 2021, executed a search warrant in hostels within the KWASU campus, where some arrests were made.

During interrogation, those found not culpable were released to the Student Union Government, SUG, of the school, while the targets of the sting operation were brought to the Ilorin Zonal Command for further questioning.

Some of the items recovered from them include six exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones, and other incriminating documents.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC on Friday 17 September 2021 secured the conviction of 17 Internet fraudsters before Justice Stephen Daylop Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The convicts are Valentine Moses Ukong, Ebuka Kelvin Uzokwe, Onedo Elohor Caleb, Godson Lekia Tophie, Achilonu Moses Chidiebere, Monshe Oloko Pius, Samuel Egu Ezeh, Akobo Joseph Chikone, Morayor Jerry Shina and Obioma Joel.

Others are Modey Terrence Akong, Abang Godswill Iyurinyi, Emmanuel Chika, Prosper Okpubeku, Obikwelu Bright Ugochukwu, Enajemo Oghenekaro and Effiong Akaninyene Essien.

The convicts were among 33 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in a sting operation at different locations in Calabar on Thursday, September 9, 2021.

They were each convicted after pleading guilty to separate one count that bordered on criminal impersonation and identity theft with intent to obtain property and gain advantage contrary to the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.

All the defendants except for Godson Tohie and Achilonus Chidiebere bagged six months imprisonment with various options of fine ranging from N50, 000 to N10, 000.