EFCC arrests 87 ‘internet fraudsters’ in Ogun, Edo

The operatives during the raid reportedly confiscated mobile phones, laptops and exotic..

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commissions (EFCC) have invaded the Mitros Residences Annex, a guest house owned by the Ogun State government and two other hotels in Abeokuta and arrested 56 suspected internet fraudsters.

Other hotels invaded by the officials of the anti-graft agency included Daktad Hostel in Quarry road and Cecilia Suites located in the Ibara GRA of Abeokuta.

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Our correspondent in Abeokuta reliably gathered that men EFCC stormed Mitros Residences Annex in the early hours of Monday and arrested some lodgers suspected to be internet fraudsters.

The operatives during the raid reportedly confiscated mobile phones, laptops and exotic cars reportedly belonging to the suspected fraudsters.

When our correspondent visited the hotel on Monday afternoon, it was discovered that there was unusual silent as workers were seen hanging around to discuss in low voices.

It was also observed that some of the hotel doors were broken, while broken plates could also been sighted within the hotel premises.

One of the lodgers, who spoke to our correspondent, disclosed that  some of the suspected fraudsters escaped arrest, while others were whisked away by the EFCC operatives.

The spokesman of the EFCC at Ibadan Zonal office, Tokunbo Odebiyi, confirmed the raid, saying 56 suspects were arrested at different hotels in Abeokuta.

Odebiyi told Daily Trust that the suspects had turned the invaded hotels to their havens.

A number of them escaped during the operations, he added.

Similarly, the Benin Zonal Office of the EFCC has arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Edo State.

The command in a statement  by its  Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were arrested  on Sunday, September 12, 2021.

He said the suspects were arrested at two separate locations in Benin following intelligence report.

He explained that some of the suspected fraudsters were seen in a viral video a few weeks ago, standing on top of their cars  at a popular Plaza in Benin City, throwing bundles of Naira notes into the air.

He said the suspects had embarked on a similar mission at the same venue on Sunday before they were intercepted by operatives of the commission at the exit while the other suspects were arrested at their hideout in Benin City.

The spokesman said the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations were completed.

“Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include 13 exotic cars, including: Lexus ES 350, Lexus 350, Lexus RX 350, Lexus ES 350, Lexus RX 350, Lexus RX 350, Lexus IS 350, Toyota Venza, Mercedes C300, Mercedes ML350, Range Rover Evoque, GLK 350 4Matic and Toyota Camry. Other items are laptop computers, phones, documents and identity cards,” he said.