By Nkechi Eze
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its landmark operation that led to the arrest of 792 suspected cybercriminals, most of whom are foreign nationals, in what is now regarded as one of the biggest crackdowns on internet fraud in Nigeria’s history.
The EFCC disclosed that the suspects were arrested on December 10, 2024, during a raid on a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos. Those apprehended include 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two citizens of Kharzartan, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian. The syndicate, according to investigators, was allegedly running a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment and romance scam network while also recruiting and training young Nigerians to act as local operatives, masking the identities of the foreign masterminds.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC described the breakthrough as a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-cybercrime fight and a major blow to the stereotype that Nigerians are the primary perpetrators of internet fraud globally.
“This arrest underscores the EFCC’s dedication to tackling cybercrime at the highest level and proves that many of these crimes are orchestrated by international actors who exploit vulnerable Nigerians,” Rafsanjani said. He added that the operation “debunks the harmful stereotype that Nigerians are the main perpetrators of cybercrime. What we are seeing is a transnational criminal hierarchy where foreign masterminds manipulate and discard Nigerian youth after using them to front illegal operations.”
Rafsanjani lamented that such narratives have for years damaged Nigeria’s reputation, while foreign actors who orchestrate and benefit from these crimes remain hidden. He warned that the syndicate’s recruitment strategies preyed on unemployed and desperate young Nigerians with false promises of jobs and quick wealth, only to expose them to criminal liability.
CISLAC urged the EFCC to ensure a transparent investigation and prosecution of all suspects, irrespective of nationality, and called on the government to strengthen safeguards against the recruitment of Nigerian youths into cybercrime networks. The organisation stressed the need for greater investment in youth empowerment initiatives, cyber-literacy programmes, and preventive digital awareness to close the pipeline that feeds transnational syndicates.
It also emphasized that cybercrime cannot be fought in isolation, calling for stronger collaboration among key national institutions. “Sustainable progress in combating cybercrime requires robust cooperation among the EFCC, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service,” CISLAC said. The group noted that many foreign criminals exploit porous immigration systems to infiltrate the country and that improved border control would help stem the tide.
Furthermore, CISLAC highlighted the role of the Nigeria Customs Service in intercepting contraband, equipment, and even arms that facilitate organized crime, stressing that intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation were essential in dismantling criminal networks.
Beyond national efforts, the group urged greater collaboration with international partners, multilateral institutions, and credible civil society organisations, which it said could provide critical intelligence, data, and technical support to strengthen investigations and prosecutions.
On the social dimensions of cybercrime, CISLAC expressed concern over the growing number of Nigerian students abandoning education in pursuit of “quick money” through internet scams. “The media must play a proactive role in reshaping public perception and educating young Nigerians on the long-term dangers of cybercrime,” the group stated. It called for nationwide awareness campaigns and community-level interventions to promote positive alternatives.
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting the EFCC, CISLAC concluded by urging for a unified national strategy that addresses the root causes of cybercrime while restoring Nigeria’s global image. “This milestone arrest proves that cybercrime is not a Nigerian phenomenon but a global problem, and with the right strategies, Nigeria can lead the fight against it,” Rafsanjani added.
