Etim Effiong
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a total of 34 suspected Internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys.
The suspected fraudsters were said to have been apprehended in separate operations in Ibadan, Oyo State and Lagos.
The EFCC in its Twitter account @officialEFCC, said 24 of the suspects, most of whom claimed to be undergraduates, were rounded up on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at their hideouts in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State by operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Office of the commission.
The agency’s Twitter account, said the suspects are, “Isiaka Quadri Olawale, Ojubanire Akindimeji Abdulquadri, Shobowale Michael Morenikeji, Adeyemi Yusuf Ekundayo, Alabi Gift Jesse, Owolabi Yakubu Josebh, Olasupo Ogooluwa Ayomide, Emmanuel Segun Omogbolahan, Mufutau Sarafa Adewale, and Adekunle Habeeb Olamilekan;
“Others are, Usman Abdullahi Olamilekan, Adurota Emmanuel Tosin, Adekunle Ibrahim Babatunde, Adeyiga Ayobami Emmanuel, Olubanji Remilekun Michael, Ibrahim Damola Iremide, Okunlaja Joshua Opeyemi, Aiyelokun Bolaji Emmanuel, Akintokun Olalekan Ibukunmi; and
“Kehinde Victor Boluwatife, Oni Olanrewaju Gabriel, Shobowale Samuel Durodola, Owolabi Quadri Damilola and Monday Blessing Patrick. The early morning raid followed actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.
“The arrest led to the recovery of valuable items, including four exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and several incriminating documents.”
The statement said, the remaining 10 suspects were arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office on March 30, 2021at Horizon II Estate, Meadow Hall Way, Lekki, Lagos following credible information on their alleged criminal activities.
The suspects who are allegedly involved in romance scam, unemployment benefits scam, identity theft, and purchase of malicious tools to compromise corporate email accounts and intercept email messages, include Daniel Udegbe, Taiwo Akintimehin, Abiola Opeyemi, Great Shayo Akintimehin, Dikoyejo Damilola Emmanuel, ibiayinabobo Daso and Toheeb Alhassan.
Others are Michael Ofoedu Obinna, Sanni Azeez and Ridwan Adeyinka Songonuga.
Items said to be recovered from the suspects include mobile phones and laptop computers, adding that the suspects have volunteered statements to the commission and would be charged as soon as investigations are concluded.