The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters and recovered five exotic cars during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The anti-graft agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewole, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 carried out the operation at about 5am on Monday, October 26, 2026, following surveillance and reconnaissance of suspects allegedly defrauding unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrencies and international money transfers while impersonating other individuals.
The commission said preliminary investigations implicated 19 of the 21 suspects, while the remaining two were released. It added that the 19 indicted suspects would be arraigned in court.
According to the EFCC, a woman who allegedly attempted to alert the suspects to the operation through telephone calls was temporarily held, and her phone confiscated until the operation ended. The device was subsequently returned to her.
The commission maintained that the operation was professionally conducted, with no harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest, while urging Nigerians to support efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.
It also called on the public to condemn fraudulent activities that tarnish Nigeria’s image, warning against attempts to undermine its mandate through what it described as blackmail and alarmism.
