Operatives of the Lagos Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The operation, carried out at about 5 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, targeted suspected fraudsters allegedly obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrencies and international money transfers while impersonating various individuals.
The commission also recovered five exotic cars during the operation.
According to the EFCC, the arrests followed what it described as diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the suspects’ activities.
The commission disclosed that a young woman who allegedly attempted to disrupt the operation by making telephone calls to alert the suspects was temporarily held, while her phone was confiscated until the conclusion of the exercise.
It added that the phone was subsequently returned to her.
The EFCC further disclosed that preliminary investigations implicated 19 of the 21 arrested suspects, while the remaining two had been released.
It said the 19 suspects who were indicted would be arraigned in court immediately.
Reaffirming its commitment to combating economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, the commission urged members of the public to support its activities and condemn fraudulent practices capable of damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.
The EFCC described the operation at Applewood Estate as professionally conducted, insisting that there was no record of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest during the exercise.
It also said it remained open to constructive engagement with well-meaning Nigerians but warned that it would not allow blackmailers and alarmists to sabotage its mandate.
