By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed a sophisticated fraud scheme involving Chinese nationals and Nigerian collaborators. According to the EFCC, these individuals are targeting victims primarily in the United Kingdom.
The commission’s investigation suggests that Chinese nationals are recruiting local Nigerians with advanced computer skills to carry out the fraudulent activities.
Acting on credible intelligence about emerging internet crimes involving foreign nationals, EFCC operatives carried out the sting operation on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The operatives arrested 105 suspects, consisting four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians, at Naka Hall Plaza in Abutu Garba Street, Gudu, Abuja, and recovered 100 compact Work Stations from the suspects.
Addressing newsmen on Friday 10th January, 2025 at the the commission’s cooperate headquarters, in Abuja, EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs Wilson Uwujaren explained that the hotel review job scam is a globally deep-rooted internet-related fraud that has recently appeared in the Nigerian space.
Understanding the Scam’s Modus Operandi
According to Uwajaren, “Their modus operandi involves Chinese nationals recruiting local and computer-savvy Nigerians as Customer Service Representatives.
“The Representatives are provided with pre-designed online scam templates and assumed foreign identities which they use to deceive and engage in conversations with unsuspecting international targets, often expatriates.
“The scam involves deceiving victims with false claims to gain their trust, then convincing them to participate in fake hotel reviews with the promise of a $5 payment for each review completed.
“Once victims receive their initial payment, they are incentivized to continue reviewing hotels, with the promise of increased earnings, typically doubled to $10 per review.
“The scam takes a further turn when the victim is persuaded to book a hotel room worth up to $500, with the false promise that the company will reimburse them with substantial interest, payable into a cryptocurrency wallet supposedly in their name.
“Ultimately, after making the hotel booking, the victim discovers that they are unable to access the cryptocurrency wallet, resulting in the loss of their $500 investment, which is never recovered.
“The fraud is an intricate mechanism of defrauding foreigners and it is targeted at victims in Europe and other parts of the world.
Uwujaren further reveled the EFCC, in collaboration with international law enforcement partners, is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the global aspects of this case.
Noting that the commission has made another significant breakthrough, coming just a month after the arrest of 792 suspected investment and internet fraudsters on December 10, 2024.
He stated that the arrests occurred at the Big Leaf Building, located at 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The investigation is close to completion, and the suspects will be charged to court.
This latest achievement demonstrates the commission’s relentless efforts to combat financial crimes in Nigeria.
