Source: EFCC
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a successful operation leading to the arrest of 105 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja on January 9, 2025. The operation was carried out based on intelligence regarding new cybercrime schemes targeting foreign nationals. Among those apprehended were four Chinese citizens and 101 Nigerians. Authorities seized 100 compact workstations during the raid.
The uncovered scheme, known as the “Hotel Review” scam, is a relatively novel method in Nigeria but has been employed in various countries. The masterminds behind this operation are Chinese nationals who recruit local individuals with computer skills. These recruits operate under false identities, engaging in correspondence primarily with foreign victims, predominantly from Europe.
The scheme involves gaining victims’ trust by offering payments for hotel reviews—$5 for the first review and up to $10 for subsequent ones. Victims are then persuaded to book hotel rooms with promises of reimbursement and substantial profits via cryptocurrency wallets. However, once payments are made, access to the wallets is blocked, leaving victims unable to recover their funds.
This sophisticated fraud primarily targets foreign nationals and operates as a large-scale deception mechanism. The EFCC continues to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to uncover the global dimensions of this criminal enterprise.
The Abuja operation follows an earlier investigation that resulted in the mass arrest of 792 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos on December 10, 2024. That investigation is nearing completion, and the suspects are expected to face trial soon.
These incidents underscore the critical importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The exposure of such intricate schemes highlights that digital fraud no longer goes unpunished, with modern technologies serving not only as tools for criminals but also as powerful means to bring them to justice.
