ABUJA, Nigeria – In one of the largest operations of its kind, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested nearly 800 people in Lagos in connection with an alleged internet fraud syndicate.
The agency confirmed that 792 suspects, including 193 foreigners—mostly Chinese nationals, were apprehended on December 10 during a raid on a seven-story building described as a “hustle kingdom”—a hub allegedly used to train individuals in cybercrime, including romance and investment scams.
EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren called it the largest single raid in the agency’s history, following months of undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“This operation is a testament to the EFCC’s commitment to tackling financial crimes in all forms,” Uwujaren told VOA. “What makes this case particularly striking is the high number of foreign nationals involved. It challenges the narrative that internet fraud is an entirely Nigerian problem.”
According to Uwujaren, the foreigners were allegedly recruiting and training Nigerians to execute online scams targeting victims in North America and Europe.
During the raid, authorities recovered hundreds of laptops, mobile phones, and vehicles, all believed to have been used in the operation. Investigations are ongoing, with the EFCC working closely with international partners to determine if the suspects are part of a larger global cybercrime network.
A Global Cybercrime Hotspot
Nigeria ranks fifth globally for cybercrime activity, according to an April report by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales—coming behind Russia, Ukraine, China, and the United States.
Cybersecurity analyst Abayomi Adeyanju attributes the rise in cybercrime to a toxic mix of youth unemployment, underutilized tech talent, and poor cybercrime awareness.
“We have highly skilled IT graduates with no jobs,” Adeyanju said. “I don’t condone crime, but many of these individuals turn to fraud out of desperation. Their skills are misused because there are no legitimate avenues to apply them.”
Adeyanju emphasized that tackling the problem requires more than arrests.
“Prosecuting offenders is only one piece of the puzzle. Nigeria needs to invest in its tech sector and create real employment opportunities. Fix the economy, and you cut off the supply chain to cybercrime.”
Next Steps
EFCC officials say the suspects will be formally charged in court in the coming days. The case is expected to garner widespread attention, both locally and internationally, due to its scale and the involvement of foreign nationals.
As Nigeria continues its fight against cybercrime, experts warn that long-term success will depend not just on enforcement—but on economic reform, digital education, and job creation for the country’s growing youth population.
