In a predawn crackdown on Saturday, June 8, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swooped in on a “Yahoo Party” held at Signature and Abah Clubs in Akure, Ondo State, resulting in the arrest of 127 suspected internet fraudsters.
This strategic operation, orchestrated by the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate, unfolded after the agency received credible intelligence about the clandestine event. Originally slated for Wednesday, June 5, the party was rescheduled to Saturday in a bid to outmaneuver the EFCC’s security and intelligence networks.
“The EFCC, through its Ibadan Zonal Directorate, has arrested 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State,” announced an EFCC statement released on Saturday. The statement underscored the significance of the simultaneous raids at both club venues, a move that significantly disrupted the alleged fraudulent activities.
During the operation, the EFCC seized a plethora of incriminating evidence from the suspects, including ten luxury cars, smartphones, laptops, a motorcycle, high-end wristwatches, and a trove of suspicious documents.
“The recovered items include ten luxury cars, smartphones, laptops, a motorcycle, high-end wristwatches, and a cache of suspicious documents,” the statement detailed.
The EFCC emphasized its commitment to thoroughly investigate the detained suspects, noting that they will face legal consequences once the investigative process is complete.
This crackdown reflects the EFCC’s ongoing campaign to combat internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo,” which poses a significant challenge to Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. Through targeted operations like this, the EFCC aims to curb the proliferation of cybercrime and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.