EFCC nabs 18 suspected Internet fraudsters, warns whistleblows against misinformation

*Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission expresses concern about the activities of supposed whistleblowers, and says those who mislead the agency with false information face could face arrest and prosecution

*How Nigeria, 19 other countries lost $13.3 billion to Internet crimes between 2016 and 2020 ─ US Federal Bureau of Investigation

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In its continued efforts at ridding the country of cybercriminals, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Office, again, have arrested 18 suspected Internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

The suspects are: Ibrahim Oreniyi Atolani, Tijani Faruk Ayobami, Yisa Ademola Ibrahim, Olukoya Aliu Temidayo, Sulaimon Sharafdeen Adebayo, Adebayo Abiodun Mustapha, Lateef Aremo Shina, Ali Mukit Olamilekan and Tajudeen Taiwo Hassan.

Others are: Aina Ayomide Oluwapelumi, Adetola Yusuf Omogbolahan, Adekoya Ibrahim Olamilekan, Oreniyi Sulaimon Olalekan, Tiamiyu Olamide Babatunde, Ojetola Michael Timileyin and Ajetunmobi Bariu Toyosi.

The EFCC operatives apprehended the suspected Internet fraudsters at Remo Majestic Hotel, Shagamu, in Ogun State, during an operation Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Channels TV report said.

Mr. Abdurasheed Bawa, Chairman of EFCC

The anti-graft agency recovered various items, including exotic cars, mobile phones, laptop computers, Wi-Fi and modem devices from the suspects.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, report stated.

Meanwhile, EFCC has expressed concern about the activities of supposed whistleblowers, who mislead the agency with false information.

Mr. Abdurasheed Bawa, Chairman of the Commission, said despite due diligence by the EFCC, scarce investigative resources have been wasted by the agency in following up false leads that frequently come to a dead end.

The EFCC Chief noted the activities of false whistleblowers detract from the noble intendment of the Whistleblower Policy of the Federal Government, which seeks to incentivise information leading to the recovery of stolen wealth.

The Whistleblower Policy is not designed as a tool for unscrupulous citizens to send law enforcement agencies on wild goose chase or set them against their perceived enemies, said Bawa.

He said EFCC would not hesitate to prosecute any whistleblower who willfully provides the agency with false information.

However, the Chairman restated the Commission’s preparedness to work with genuine whistleblowers and acknowledged the breakthroughs, which the EFCC recorded in its assets recovery drive, using information supplied by whistleblowers.

Bawa urged genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that they have accurate information before engaging with the agency.

In a related development, ConsumerConnect gathered the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed how 20 countries, including Nigeria, lost $13.3 billion to Internet crimes between 2016 and 2020.

The FBI, in its 2020 Report in cybercrimes, noted that in 2020 alone, the affected countries lost $4.1 billion to such crimes as government impersonation, identity theft, personal data breach, misrepresentation, cyber scam, business e-mail compromise, romance scam among others.

The Internet Crime Complaint Centre of the FBI said the fraudsters targeted the Coronavirus aid relief, and Economic Security Act, which included provisions to help small American businesses during the pandemic, the FBI said.

While disclosing the age of the victims in the affected countries ranges between 20 and 60 years, the report indicated that Nigeria is among the 20 top victim countries in 2020 with 443 victims, UK, 216,633; Canada, 5,399 and India, 2,930, among others.

The FBI said the centre received 5, 679, 259 complaints since inception in 2016, representing 440, 000 complaints per year on average since the last five years and 2000 complaints daily.

A statistical analysis of the losses in the report showed that $1,866,642,107 was lost to BEC/EAC; overpayment $51,039,922; confidence fraud/romance $600,249,82; ransomware $29,157,405; investment $336,469,000; healthcare-related $29,042,515; non-payment/non-delivery $265,011,249 and Civil matter $24,915,958.

Others include identity theft $219,484,699; misrepresentation $19,707,242; spoofing $216,513,728; malware/scareware/virus $6,904,054; real estate/rental $213,196,082; harassment/threats violence $6,547,449; and personal data breach $194,473,055.

Others are copyright/counterfeit $5,910,617; tech support $146,477,709; charity $4,428,766; credit card fraud $129,820,792; gambling $3,961,508; corporate data breach $128,916,648; re-shipping $3,095,265; Government Impersonation $109,938,030 and crimes against children $660,044.

FBI’s Financial Crimes Section Chief, Steven Merrill, said: “Unfortunately, criminals are very opportunistic. They see a vulnerable population out there that they can prey upon.” The US crime agency offered advice on measures to be adopted to avoid becoming victims of such crimes.

It stated: “People are encouraged to protect themselves from scammers by using extreme caution in online communication.

“Verify the sender of an email. Criminals will sometimes change just one letter in an email address to make it look like one you know.

“Also, be very wary of attachments or links. Hover your mouse over a link before clicking to see where it is sending you”

The FBI further urged internet users to “question anyone offering you something that is too good to be true or is a secret investment opportunity or medical advice.

“Rely on trusted sources, like your own doctor, the centre for disease control, and your local health department for medical information.”

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