Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 suspects in a large-scale raid targeting international online fraud activities. The operation took place on December 10 at the seven-storey Big Leaf Building in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, which was allegedly used as a hub for global scams.
The EFCC revealed that the arrested individuals include 148 Chinese nationals and 40 Filipino nationals. According to EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, the luxury building operated as a call center targeting victims across the Americas and Europe. Scammers reportedly used social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to lure victims with romance scams or fake investment opportunities, particularly involving cryptocurrency.
Once trust was established, victims were pressured into transferring funds into fraudulent schemes. Uwujaren explained that Nigerian accomplices were responsible for initial contact with victims, while foreign partners carried out the defrauding process.
During the raid, the EFCC seized computers, mobile phones, and vehicles linked to the operation. The agency is now collaborating with international partners to investigate potential connections to organized crime networks.
This major crackdown highlights Nigeria’s efforts to combat cybercrime and protect global victims from sophisticated online scams.
