Major Crackdown on Crypto Scammers in Nigeria
In a significant operation, Nigeria's anti-corruption agency has arrested 792 suspects linked to a large-scale cryptocurrency scam in Lagos. The raid, which took place on December 10, targeted a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building, identified as a central hub for scammers. Among those arrested were 148 Chinese nationals and 40 Filipino nationals, highlighting the international dimension of the operation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that the suspects operated a call center that primarily targeted victims from North America and Europe, using social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to lure individuals with romantic offers and enticing investment opportunities. Once victims were engaged, they were pressured into transferring funds for fake cryptocurrency schemes.
Wilson Owujaren, a spokesman for the EFCC, explained that Nigerian accomplices were recruited by foreign gang leaders to identify and gain the trust of potential victims, primarily from the United States, Canada, and several European nations. After establishing trust, the foreign operatives would take over the fraudulent activities, leading to significant financial losses for victims.
The EFCC has stated that it is collaborating with international partners to investigate potential links to organized crime and has seized various items during the raid, including computers, phones, and vehicles.
