The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime with the arrest of 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The arrests were made on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, by operatives of the Commission’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate.
According to a statement released by the EFCC, the operation followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to a web of online criminal activities. The raid, which took place at multiple undisclosed locations across the city, was conducted with precision to minimize resistance and secure vital digital evidence.
During the operation, EFCC operatives recovered several items believed to be proceeds of fraudulent activity. These included luxury cars, smartphones, smart wristwatches, and a number of laptop computers suspected to contain incriminating evidence. The suspects are currently in EFCC custody and are undergoing thorough interrogation.
Benin City Operation Yields 28 Additional Arrests
In a separate but coordinated operation in Benin City, Edo State, another 28 suspected internet fraudsters were apprehended by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate on the same day, May 14. The arrests were similarly based on actionable intelligence implicating the suspects in online scams.
The anti-graft agency reported that the suspects were rounded up at various locations across Benin City, where they had allegedly been operating digital schemes aimed at defrauding unsuspecting victims both locally and internationally. Investigators disclosed that five exotic cars were among the items seized, along with numerous smartphones and laptops.
The EFCC has confirmed that all 28 suspects remain in custody and will be prosecuted once the ongoing investigations are finalized. The agency reiterated its commitment to combating the rising tide of cybercrime in Nigeria through strategic intelligence gathering and law enforcement action.
Digital Evidence Seized: A Glimpse Into the Fraud Network
The arrest of 59 suspects across two major Nigerian cities on the same day underscores the EFCC’s intensified efforts to dismantle sophisticated cybercrime networks. Sources within the agency revealed that many of the recovered devices are currently being analyzed by forensic experts for digital evidence, including email scams, phishing operations, identity theft, and online dating fraud.
Preliminary findings indicate that some of the suspects may have operated in syndicates with access to foreign bank accounts and money laundering channels. The EFCC believes that uncovering these networks will provide vital leads in the global fight against internet-based crimes originating from Nigeria.
Experts say this development is a clear signal to cybercriminals that law enforcement agencies are adapting and improving their capacity to track and prosecute internet fraud.
EFCC Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Cybercrime
Reacting to the twin operations, EFCC officials emphasized that the agency will not relent in its drive to sanitize the digital space and protect Nigeria’s reputation in the international community. The Commission urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious online activities through its official communication channels.
“We are committed to restoring trust in Nigeria’s online space. Cybercrime not only affects individuals but tarnishes our national image. These arrests are just the beginning,” an EFCC spokesperson said.
The agency also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor the online behavior of their children and wards, as many young Nigerians are increasingly drawn into internet fraud by peer pressure and the allure of quick wealth.
Legal Proceedings to Follow as Investigations Advance
Both sets of suspects—those arrested in Port Harcourt and Benin City—are expected to face formal charges in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Legal analysts anticipate that the EFCC will press charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, among other relevant statutes.
The Commission has assured the public that due process will be followed in prosecuting the cases and that the suspects will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court. If convicted, they could face substantial prison terms, forfeiture of assets, and other penalties stipulated under Nigerian law.
This latest development adds to the growing list of EFCC successes in tackling internet fraud, reinforcing its role as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency. The public awaits further updates as the legal process unfolds.
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