The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has said 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters were arrested while five exotic cars were recovered during early morning sting operation by its operatives at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC said this in a statement obviously issued in reaction to controversies that have trailed the operation.
Some critics had accused operatives of the anti-graft agency of high-handedness and harassment of people during the operation.
But in the statement issued on Tuesday, Oyewale said the sting operation, carried out by operatives of EFCC around 5a.m on Monday at Applewood Estate was professionally conducted.
According to the anti-graft agency, the operation was targeted at apprehending suspected cybercrime fraudsters obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, crypto currencies and international money transfers by impersonating several individuals.
Oyewale added that the operatives arrested 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters ‘professionally owing to diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the activities of the fraudsters.’
But EFCC insisted that there was ‘no record of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest of anyone,’ while vowing that it will not allow blackmailers and alarmists to sabotage its mandate.
According to the statement, 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.
It added that the phone was later released to the lady.
Oyewale added that preliminary investigations of the arrested suspects indicted 19 of them while the remaining two have been released.
The statement also indicated that 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. The Commission is open to constructive engagement by well-meaning Nigerians, but blackmailers and alarmists will not be allowed to sabotage its mandate,’ said Oyewale.