By Praise Afolabi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos, as the agency intensifies its clampdown on cybercrime in the state.
The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in a sting operation carried out by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 at Olusi Street, HopeVille Estate, Sangotedo, Ajah. Their arrest, according to the EFCC, followed credible intelligence about their alleged involvement in online scams targeting unsuspecting victims both within and outside Nigeria.
During the raid, operatives recovered five vehicles, mobile phones, and laptop computers believed to have been used in carrying out fraudulent activities. The Commission said the suspects are currently in custody and would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The latest arrests add to a growing list of similar operations by the EFCC in Lagos, a hotspot for internet fraud in Nigeria. In recent years, the anti-graft agency has intensified its surveillance and crackdowns on syndicates, popularly known as “Yahoo boys,” who exploit digital platforms to defraud victims across the globe.
The EFCC has consistently maintained that cybercrime not only tarnishes Nigeria’s image internationally but also undermines genuine digital entrepreneurship in the country. Lagos, being the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, has been at the forefront of the Commission’s operations, with frequent sting raids in areas such as Lekki, Ajah, and Ikeja.
In June, for instance, the EFCC arrested over 30 suspects in Lekki during a similar operation, recovering luxury cars, gadgets, and cash. The Commission has vowed that such operations will continue until the menace is drastically reduced.
Authorities have also appealed to young Nigerians to embrace legitimate online businesses and opportunities, warning that the EFCC will not relent in bringing internet fraudsters to justice.
