Internet Fraud: FBI-EFCC Collaboration Led To Recovery Of $314,000, N373m – EFCC
Effective collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has led to the recovery of three hundred and fourteen thousand US Dollars ($314,000) and about three hundred and seventy-three million Naira (N373,000,000.00) from perpetrators of computer-related fraud, the Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Mohammed Rabo has announced.
Rabo also said that the joint operations coordinated by the EFCC has so far yielded 28 arrests, adding that 14 suspects were charged and convicted while nine of the suspects are currently undergoing trial just as five of the suspects are under investigations.
He further said; “The sum of $314,000 has been recovered while the sum of N373m had been traced to various commercial banks by our Lagos Zonal office. Over 80 cases are still under investigation from the EFCC-FBI joint operations.”
Rabo said that prior to the collaborative efforts with the FBI, the EFCC had on its own launched a sustained operation on perpetrators of various computer-related frauds.
According to him; “From 2018 to date, the EFCC had launched a sustained operation on perpetrators of various computer-related frauds, which resulted in over 200 arrests, 130 convictions and recovery of a large number of exotic cars and properties suspected to have been acquired through the proceeds of crime.
“We had independently launched intensive investigative actions against the infamous Yahoo yahoo boys culminating in various strategic raids and onslaught on their hideouts. Our efforts in this regard have recorded tremendous successes leading to a number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions.”
“All the critical stakeholders, particularly the media, must continue to collaborate and cooperate with us to make the fight a success. I urge you to continue to help us sensitize, mobilize and educate all the critical stakeholders to continue to support the fight against economic and financial crimes. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream,” Rabo said.
