Why we carry out sting operation at Applewood estate – EFCC

By Vivian Okejeme

Operatives of the Lagos Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on Monday, confirmed it carried out a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State.

The anti-garft agency explained that the operation was to apprehend suspected cybercrime fraudsters obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, crypto currencies and international money transfers by impersonating several individuals.

A statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of the commission
said the operation, carried out by 5am, yielded the arrest of twenty-one(21) suspected cybercrime fraudsters and five exotic cars.

According to the EFCC, the fraudsters were apprehended professionally owing to diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the activities of the fraudsters.

The statement recorded that a young lady that stood in the way of the operation by making telephone calls to alert the fraudsters was held and her phone confiscated until the conclusion of the operation. The phone was later released to her.

Preliminary investigations of the arrested suspects indicted nineteen(19) of them while the remaining two have been released.

All the indicted suspects will be arraigned in court immediately.

“While the EFCC continues its crusade and operational dynamics against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, the public is enjoined to keep faith with it and loudly condemn the activities of fraudsters bringing the nation to disrepute.

“The Sting Operation at Applewood Estate was professionally carried out, with no record of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest of anyone.”

Concluding, the commission reiterated its openness to constructive engagement by well-meaning Nigerians but blackmailers and alarmists will not be allowed to sabotage its mandate.