EFCC arrests 52 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun

• Court convicts 11 Yahoo boys for Cybercrime in Kaduna, orders forfeiture of proceeds of crime

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 52 suspected Internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

Its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, said the suspects were arrested during sting operations between June 7 and June 8, 2023, following intelligence received by the commission about their activities in computer-related frauds in some parts of the state.

Uwujaren said items recovered from the suspects included mobile phones, laptop computers and cars.

He said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.

In a related development, Uwujaren disclosed that the Kaduna Zonal Command of the commission also secured the conviction of 11 Internet fraudsters, popularly known asYahoo Boys, before Justice A. A. Isaiah of the Kaduna State High Court, on separate one-count charge bordering on impersonation and Internet fraud.

He said their offences were contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.

He said they were arrested at different locations in Abuja and Kaduna, following actionable intelligence on their alleged cybercrime-related activities

“They pleaded guilty to their charges upon arraignment, prompting the Prosecuting Counsel, E.K Garba, M.E Eimonye, Y.J Matiyak and K.S Ogunlade to ask the court to convict them accordingly.

“Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced them to various terms of imprisonment or with option of fines. They were also ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government phones of different make, laptops and others gadgets used in committing the crimes.

“In addition, they are to forfeit all proceeds of crime, ranging from electronics, furniture, and kitchen equipment, among others to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”