By Abasifreke Effiong
AKWA IBOM – The Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will be uneasy for internet fraudsters better known as “yahoo boys” to operate in Akwa Ibom State.
The zonal head of the EFCC, Mr. Garba Dugum, said the Uyo zonal office is currently investigating more than 20 cases of internet frauds reported to it by the America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
“In our collaboration with the FBI, the Uyo zonal office has so far received over 20 different cases of internet frauds, reported directly by FBI through United State Department of Justice.
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These cases are still under investigation, and they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”
Addressing a press conference at the commission’s office in Uyo, Dagum represented by the deputy zonal head, Mr. Alex Ebbah said the EFCC has increased its intelligence and coverage in Akwa Ibom State and has decided to make Uyo very hot for cyber fraudsters.
“Most of them (internet fraudsters) found Uyo zone as a very quiet place, but we have decided to make the zone hot for them.”
Dagum said the EFCC is collaborating with foreign law enforcement agencies like the FBI; Hong Kong, Danish and Norwegian Police in the fight against cyber crimes and other internet frauds.
He said the collaboration was yielding results and so far 20 cases have been reported by international law enforcement agencies through mutual legal assistance.
The commission says it has launched strategic raids and onslaught on hideouts of ‘Yahoo boys’ and has made 60 arrests, 37 convictions, recovered a number of exotic cars and properties suspected to have been acquired with the proceeds of crime.
On the recent arrest and indictment of scores of Nigerians accused of being involved in email scam and money laundering by the FBI, the commision says it is already with the FBI to identify the accomplices in Nigeria who aided and abetted the perpetrators of the crime in the United States of America.
Dagum said the EFCC has initiated sensitization programmes aimed to educate the youths on the dangers and needs to abstain from internet fraud, calling on parents to join the commission to re-orientate their children to put their ICT skills to positive ventures.
