EFCC busts “Yahoo University”, arrests 25 students of internet fraudsters

Stanley Ihedigbo

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in a cybercrime training centre in Benin City, Edo State.

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the suspects’ arrest at their hideout was triggered by credible intelligence that indicated the apartment being used as a yahoo academy or training school for internet-related fraud and other fraudulent activities.

Items recovered from the suspects include six exotic cars, laptops, and phones.

The suspects will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

While International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), through its Maritime Security Unit has sought collaboration with the commission, as part of concerted efforts to combat transnational fraud and to check fraudulent malpractices in the maritime sector.

The call was made in Lagos when Criminal Intelligence Officer from the Maritime Security Unit of INTERPOL, Ademola Olude, led a delegation including four members from Ghana on a courtesy visit to the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Michael Wetkas.

Olude, who commended the EFCC for its vigorous corruption-fighting efforts, stressed that the visit was to seek areas of collaboration to combat transnational crimes that are perpetrated across borders.

“The Maritime Security Unit of the INTERPOL is tasked with implementing a project called Agwe, a codename for the project aimed at providing capacity-building among West African member countries, particularly in the areas of investigations and exchange of information in the maritime domain,” he said.

He noted that the project is running in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Togo, The Gambia, and the Benin Republic.

“We have partnerships with 10 different countries in Africa, including Nigeria, and we aim to reinforce collaboration to ensure maritime security, and we are willing to assist the EFCC in matters relating to border crimes,” he said.

In his response, Wetkas appreciated the delegation for the visit and stressed that the EFCC remained resolute in its fight against all forms of economic and financial crimes, and placed premium value on collaboration with fellow law enforcement agencies.

“We are not relenting in our efforts to rid the country of corruption, particularly cybercrime, which has resulted in many internet fraudsters fleeing to neighbouring countries, and so this makes the need to strengthen collaboration across borders more imperative,” he said.

He further reinforced the Commission’s willingness to partner with the INTERPOL to take the fight against corruption across the West African region.