The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate I, has arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Friday, August 29, 2025, during a raid on Mambillah Hotel, Omodisu Street, following weeks of credible intelligence gathering and surveillance on their alleged cybercrime activities.
According to the EFCC, preliminary findings linked the suspects to a range of internet fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting victims both within and outside Nigeria. Items recovered during the operation included several vehicles, numerous mobile devices, and quantities of psychoactive and controlled substances, which have been taken into evidence for further investigation.
The Commission stated that the arrests form part of its ongoing clampdown on internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, which continues to pose a major threat to Nigeria’s digital economy and international reputation.
EFCC officials emphasized that the suspects will be profiled and subjected to thorough investigation, after which they will face prosecution in court. “We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that those who engage in internet fraud are brought to justice,” the Commission said in a statement.
The agency also reiterated its warning to youths against participating in cybercrime, noting the long-term consequences which include criminal records, forfeiture of assets, and imprisonment. It urged parents, community leaders, and stakeholders to intensify sensitization efforts to curb the growing trend.
The latest arrests add to a string of successful operations carried out by the EFCC across Lagos and other parts of the country in recent months, as the Commission continues its nationwide drive against economic and financial crimes.
