In a significant operation aimed at clamping down on cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 35 suspected internet fraudsters in Auchi, Edo State. The arrests were made during a coordinated raid on Monday, May 5, 2025, across strategic locations within the town.
According to an official statement released via the EFCC’s verified social media handle, the operation was based on “credible intelligence linking the suspects to various cybercrime activities.” The raid was carried out across multiple hotspots, including Vigilante Street, Off Sabo Ibenafo Road, and the Back of Yak area in Auchi, a town increasingly associated with internet fraud, colloquially referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
During the crackdown, EFCC operatives seized several items believed to be proceeds or tools of fraud. Among the confiscated assets were nine luxury cars, eleven laptop computers, 46 mobile phones, and two smartwatches. These devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspects are being held at the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Command, where they are undergoing interrogation. According to the Commission, they will be formally charged in court once investigations are concluded.
“We remain resolute in our mandate to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes. This arrest is another major step in our mission to bring cybercriminals to justice and restore confidence in the digital space,” the agency noted in its public announcement.
Auchi has over the years emerged as a notable location for cybercrime activities in southern Nigeria. The growing number of internet fraud cases reported in the area has drawn the attention of anti-graft agencies, prompting increased surveillance and law enforcement actions.
EFCC officials have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and public cooperation in identifying suspicious digital and financial behavior. “We urge citizens to report suspicious activity. The fight against fraud is not ours alone—it requires the support of every Nigerian,” the statement read.
Cybercrime remains one of the fastest-growing forms of criminal activity in Nigeria, especially among young people. With the rise of digital technology and online transactions, internet fraud has evolved into a multi-billion-naira industry, posing severe threats to national and international financial systems.
In recent years, the EFCC has intensified its efforts through a series of nationwide raids, public awareness campaigns, and prosecutions. According to its 2024 annual report, the agency secured over 1,200 convictions related to internet fraud, seizing assets worth billions of naira.
Commenting on the development, cybersecurity analyst Tunde Akinola praised the EFCC for its swift action but urged more preventive measures. “Arresting suspects is important, but we must also focus on digital education and economic empowerment to reduce the allure of fraud among Nigerian youths,” he said.
The recent arrests in Edo are expected to bolster the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to sanitize the digital space and hold offenders accountable. The Commission has promised to continue its crackdown on cybercrime, vowing not to relent until the scourge is drastically reduced.