ABUJA – THE Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, Thursday, hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the arrest of 792 suspects, most of whom are foreign nationals, allegedly involved in a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment and romance scam network.
The Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who described the arrest as landmark commended the EFCC’s for its professionalism to crack the suspected syndicate on carrying out cybercrime that has tarnished the image of Nigeria, saying also that this arrest of other nationals vindicates Nigeria as not the only country involved in the criminal business.
In a statement signed by Rafsanjani, he referred to the operation as to be carried out on December 10, 2024, at a seven-story building in Victoria Island, Lagos, and that it represents what CISLAC described as a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria. It also challenges the prevailing global narrative that disproportionately links Nigerians to internet fraud.
He also said, according to the EFCC, the suspects include 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two citizens of Kharzartan, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian. The syndicate is believed to have recruited and trained young Nigerians to serve as local operatives, using their identities to mask the activities of the foreign masterminds behind the operations.
He said the arrest “underscores the Commission’s dedication to tackling cybercrime at the highest level and proves that these crimes are often orchestrated by international actors who exploit vulnerable Nigerians for their schemes.
“These syndicates prey on unemployed or desperate young people by offering fake job opportunities and financial incentives, only to expose them to criminal risk while remaining in the shadows.”
Therefore, CISLAC urged the EFCC to carry out a thorough, transparent and in-depth investigation to unravel the sophisticated and covered crime, and also ensure all parties regardless of nationality are held arrested and face the law.
Meanwhile, the CISLAC boss called on the Nigerian government to increase investment in youth-focused initiatives, digital safeguards, and cyber-literacy programs aimed at reducing vulnerability to online fraud and recruitment by criminal networks.
He also counseled that to fight and win in the war against cybercrime it is imperative for “Sustainable progress in combating cybercrime requires strong institutional collaboration among key agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Customs Service.”
He also expressed concern as many foreign criminals take advantage to exploit the weaknesses in Nigeria’s immigration control and enter to operate in the country illegally.
“Enhanced immigration screening and proactive enforcement would prevent many of these actors from embedding themselves within local communities”, he said.
The organization further called for deeper engagement with international partners, multilateral institutions, and credible civil society organizations.
He also said these entities can provide “critical intelligence, credible data, and technical support that strengthen investigative and prosecutorial efforts.”
He also called on the government to strengthen border surveillance and inter-agency intelligence sharing to significantly support the EFCC in dismantling both foreign-led and locally-supported criminal syndicates.
CISLAC also highlighted the role of the Nigeria Customs Service in intercepting illegal arms, equipment, and contraband used to facilitate organized crime. Strengthened border surveillance and inter-agency intelligence sharing, it said, would significantly support the EFCC in dismantling both foreign-led and locally-supported criminal syndicates.
The organization further called for deeper engagement with international partners, multilateral institutions, and credible civil society organizations. These entities, it noted, can provide “critical intelligence, credible data, and technical support that strengthen investigative and prosecutorial efforts.”
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