The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State.
The operation, conducted by operatives of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate, took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, and was based on credible intelligence linking the suspects to a range of fraudulent online activities.
According to a press statement released by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, the anti-graft agency executed a coordinated raid on multiple locations across the city, targeting individuals suspected of engaging in internet-related crimes, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
During the operation, EFCC operatives recovered a cache of valuable items from the suspects, including: Five exotic cars believed to have been acquired through proceeds of internet fraud; Numerous laptop computers used in cybercrime operations and Several smartphones, some of which are believed to contain evidence of scam-related communications
The EFCC noted that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
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The arrest of the 28 suspects is the latest in a series of operations by the EFCC to dismantle cybercrime networks in Nigeria. With the rise of internet-related fraud in recent years, the EFCC has ramped up its surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts, especially in urban hubs like Benin City, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
Cybercrime, which includes activities such as romance scams, email phishing, identity theft, and investment fraud, continues to be a major challenge in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
The EFCC has repeatedly warned youths against engaging in fraudulent online behavior and has urged parents and guardians to educate their children on the legal and social consequences of internet fraud.
