A major operation in Nigeria targeting a crypto romance scam resulted in the arrest of 792 individuals, allegedly organized by international crime groups aiming at Western populations.
Scale of the Operation and Arrests
On December 10, Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, saw the arrest of 792 people during a raid by the country's anti-corruption agency. The detainees included 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals. The operation aimed at unravelling a massive crypto romance scam based in the building.
Fraud Scheme and International Links
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, Nigerian accomplices recruited by foreign kingpins sought victims online. "Once the Nigerians were able to win the confidence of would-be victims, the foreigners would take over the actual task of defrauding the victims," the spokesperson noted. These scams often involved bogus cryptocurrency investment schemes.
Consequences and Future Steps
The EFCC spokesperson mentioned ongoing collaboration with international partners to explore potential links of the accused to organized crime. Such scams, it seems, are becoming increasingly popular among cybercriminals who favor quicker fraudulent schemes.
The operation in Nigeria highlights the international scope and seriousness of crypto romance scams. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and collaborate with global partners.
