In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 193 suspects in Lagos, including six foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated online fraud syndicate. The anti-graft agency, in a surprise raid on the infamous Big Leaf Building, apprehended 599 individuals, leading to a series of legal proceedings.
Out of the arrested suspects, six foreign nationals have opted for a plea bargain arrangement with the EFCC. Their legal representatives requested a short adjournment to enable them to negotiate terms with the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the trial has commenced against one of the accused, Xiao Hong Will, who is facing a three-count charge alongside his company, Genting International Ltd. The Federal High Court in Lagos has begun hearing testimonies, with an unemployed cybersecurity student, Roland Turaki, taking the witness stand.
Turaki, who was once employed by the alleged criminal network, detailed how the syndicate operated, revealing a well-orchestrated scheme to lure and defraud unsuspecting European victims.
He recounted how he was recruited through an online job advertisement on Jiji.ng. The ad, which promised a lucrative ₦250,000 salary for a customer service role, led him to a WhatsApp recruitment process.
> “On the day of the interview, I was tested only for my typing speed—30 words per minute. Once I passed, I was immediately hired and asked to resume the next day,” Turaki narrated.
Upon resumption, he was given a script and training manual, which contained detailed chat templates instructing employees on how to deceive foreign clients into online relationships.
> “The goal was to gain the trust of our targets, who were mostly European men. We pretended to be women, using scripted conversations to make them believe they were chatting with real female companions,” he disclosed.
The witness further revealed that the fraud scheme involved professional deception tactics. Employees were assigned “models” whose photos and videos were used to convince victims of their authenticity. Once a target had been successfully engaged, Chinese supervisors would take over the conversation to finalize the scam.
> “We had strict monitoring from team leaders. Every conversation was observed, and the moment a victim was about to fall for the scheme, we were ordered to stop chatting, and the supervisors took over,” he added.
Turaki also disclosed the intimidation tactics employed by the company to keep workers in line. Armed security personnel prevented employees from leaving the premises without authorization, while threats of dismissal without pay were common.
“One day, I wasn’t feeling well and wanted to step outside to buy medication. The security guards forcefully drove us back inside. They warned that if we attempted it again, we would be fired without pay,” he recounted.
The EFCC has seized over 400 desktop computers used in the fraudulent operations and plans to present them as evidence. The prosecution, led by Bilikisu Buhari Bala, has sought an adjournment to allow time for the witness to identify the specific system he worked on.
Justice Dipeolu has adjourned the case to March 18 for the continuation of the trial.
This case underscores the EFCC’s intensified crackdown on cybercrime and raises concerns about the exploitation of young Nigerians in sophisticated online scams. With the involvement of foreign nationals, the case is expected to draw significant international attention.
PIONEER NEWS 