The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 74 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in Ogun State, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
According to Oyewale, the suspected fraudsters were arrested at the Government Residential Area in Shagamu, Ogun State, following surveillance and intelligence operations that exposed their involvement in internet-related offences.
Among the items recovered from the suspects were seven exotic cars, three laptops, 124 mobile phones, one PlayStation 3 game, two motorcycles, and other incriminating documents.
Oyewale further stated that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations into their alleged criminal activities were concluded.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the agency intends to rehabilitate convicted internet fraudsters with reduced sentences as part of efforts to reintegrate them into society.
Olukoyede made the revelation during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) led by its President, Obadi Marshal, in Abuja.
In a statement released by the commission, Olukoyede said that rehabilitation serves as a means of reorienting the minds of convicts and channelling their energies towards positive endeavours.
“We have a plan to rehabilitate convicted internet fraudsters with lesser sentences. The plan is to work with the correctional centre to make them useful and more productive in society,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC boss also issued a stern warning to youths about the severe consequences of engaging in cybercrime.
