The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 9, arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at an internet fraud academy, situated in Becki Estate, Karu, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suspects, comprising two kingpins and interns, were n@bbed while undergoing internet fraud tutorials. Items recovered from them include phones, 18 laptop computers and other gadgets.
A statement from the anti-graft agency says investigation by its operatives revealed that some of the interns were lured all the way from Benue state by the academy proprietors with the promise of job offers, but upon settling down at the facility, were handed communication devices, computers and software, setting the stage for their training in cyber fraud.
‘’To enforce compliance and dedication, the proprietors house the recruits in the academy and restrict their movements strictly within the perimeters of the facility and forcibly took possession of their mobile phones, thus totally cutting them off from the outside world.
Furthermore, corporal punishment was the order of the day, with heavy-handed physical assault meted out to interns who were seen to be recalcitrant.”the agency statement reads in part
The agency added that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.