Nearly 800 Arrested in Nigeria Involved in International Romance and Investment Scams, Including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino Nationals

Nigeria Shuts Down Major Cybercrime Hub in Lagos

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 suspects involved in an international cybercrime ring.

The operation targeted a seven-storey building, known as the Big Leaf Building, in Lagos on 10 December.

The building, located in the Victoria Island district, served as the nerve centre for romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that preyed on victims across the globe.

International Network of Scammers Exposed

Among the suspects arrested were 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhstanians, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.

EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed that these foreign nationals worked alongside Nigerian accomplices to orchestrate elaborate scams, primarily focusing on romance and cryptocurrency fraud.

The building, seemingly a corporate headquarters, was equipped with high-end technology, including hundreds of desktop computers, mobile devices, and local SIM cards.

Olukoyede stated:

"The suspects operated out of the Big Leaf Building, which appeared to be a corporate headquarters but was equipped with sophisticated tools for fraud.”

Deceptive Training Programmes for Nigerian Accomplices

The EFCC revealed that young Nigerians were recruited based on their computer and typing skills.

These recruits underwent a two-week induction programme where they were taught to impersonate foreign women and engage potential victims in romantic or business conversations via social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.

On one floor, investigators discovered 500 SIM cards allegedly used to contact victims.

Olukoyede explained:

"The Nigerian recruits were trained to pose as foreign women and initiate romance or investment scams targeting individuals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.”

Once a victim’s confidence was gained, the foreign operatives took over, leaving the Nigerian recruits in the dark about the full extent of the fraud.

Payments to these recruits were made in cash or through personal accounts, making it difficult for them to identify their employers.

Fake Cryptocurrency Platforms and Phishing Schemes

The syndicate reportedly lured victims into fraudulent investment schemes, often through fake cryptocurrency platforms such as Yooto.com.

Activation fees for these platforms started at $35, but victims were soon coerced into making larger financial commitments.

EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren described the process:

“Once victims were hooked, they were pressured to transfer money for fake cryptocurrency schemes and other non-existent projects.”

Victims primarily hailed from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several European countries.

Foreign Kingpins Exploit Nigeria’s Reputation

Olukoyede pointed out that foreign criminals are leveraging Nigeria’s tarnished reputation to conduct illegal operations.

He said:

“Foreigners are establishing criminal enterprises here, leveraging Nigeria’s reputation to cover their tracks. But this operation proves there are no hiding places for criminals in Nigeria.”

The EFCC has vowed to collaborate with international partners to uncover further links to global crime networks.

Items seized during the raid include computers, mobile phones, laptops, and vehicles, all of which are now part of the ongoing investigation.

Prior Global Efforts Against Online Scams

The raid adds to recent global efforts to combat cybercrime originating from or linked to West Africa.

In November, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reported the removal of over two million fake accounts targeting international users.

Earlier in 2024, Interpol’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime dismantled romance scam networks in Nigeria, further highlighting the growing international focus on curbing such fraudulent activities.

Investigations are ongoing, and those arrested are expected to face prosecution in the coming months.