By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its recent landmark operation that led to the arrest of 792 suspects, mostly foreign nationals, allegedly involved in a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment and romance scam syndicate.
The operation, conducted on December 10, 2024, at a seven-story building in Victoria Island, Lagos, was described by CISLAC as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against cybercrime.
According to EFCC reports, the suspects included 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two citizens of Kharzartan, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.
The syndicate allegedly recruited and trained young Nigerians as local operatives, using their identities to shield the foreign masterminds behind the scheme.
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, applauded the EFCC for what he called a demonstration of professionalism and determination. He noted that the arrests highlight the transnational nature of cybercrime and debunk the stereotype that Nigerians are the principal perpetrators.
“What we are seeing is a criminal hierarchy where foreign masterminds manipulate vulnerable Nigerian youths, using them as fronts before discarding them,” Rafsanjani said.
He stressed that this exploitative dynamic has long tarnished Nigeria’s international reputation while obscuring the role of foreign actors who operate from behind the scenes.
CISLAC further urged the EFCC to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure all perpetrators, regardless of nationality, are held accountable.
The organization also called on the Federal Government to invest more in youth-centered initiatives, including job creation, digital literacy, and cyber-safety programs, to reduce the susceptibility of young people to recruitment by criminal networks.
In a statement, CISLAC emphasized that sustainable progress requires cross-agency collaboration involving the EFCC, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service, noting that many foreign cybercriminals exploit weak border controls to infiltrate the country.
It also underscored the importance of public education and media engagement in reshaping societal attitudes toward cybercrime.
The group expressed concern over the growing number of Nigerian students abandoning education in pursuit of “quick money” through online fraud.
> “The media must play a proactive role in correcting perceptions and educating young Nigerians about the long-term dangers of cybercrime,” the statement read.
CISLAC recommended nationwide awareness campaigns, community outreach, and youth empowerment programs as essential tools for prevention.
Reaffirming its support for the EFCC and other relevant institutions, the organization called for a unified national strategy to address the root causes of cybercrime, restore Nigeria’s global image, and provide lawful opportunities for the nation’s youth
