EFCC nabs 5 undergraduates over N16m scam

FIVE undergraduates of two universities in Ondo State are currently being investigated by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for internet financial crimes, otherwise known as “yahoo yahoo operations.”

The victims, according to a statement made available on EFCC social media page, Facebook, on Monday, were arrested at Anuoluwapo Close, Stateline Hotel Road, off FUTA South Gate, Akure.

The arrest was, however, confirmed by the Head of Public Affairs, Ibadan zonal office of EFCC, Mr Ayo Oyewole, on Monday.

It was also gathered that the operatives of the commission have been drilling the suspects on their operations.

The suspects, EFCC stated, are between the ages of 20 and 23. The suspects are Paul Adeleke, Tayo Abudu Adebiyi, Akinsanmi Olusola Adeniyi, Ogundile Ademola James and Okali Ugochukwu.

According to the statement: “The commission got wind of their activities through series of gathered intelligence. Adeleke and his co-travellers, who go about with the names “Tsunnami Gang” and “Young Pablo Money” allegedly swindled unsuspecting foreigners and others to the tune of N16 million recently by engaging in fraudulent activities of obtaining money by false pretences through scam mails.”

The statement further added that the suspects are students of Technology, Agricultural Resources, Mathematics and Urban and Regional Planning.

At the point of arrest, the EFCC operatives recovered various items worth millions of naira from the suspects.

The statement stated: “The EFCC operatives recovered a 2006 black Toyota Highlander with registration number (Lagos) LND 112 EG; 2010 light-green Toyota Camry (Muscle) with registration number (Lagos) AAA 850 EF; laptops, three Apple iPhone 6 and three Blackberry phones from them.”

The agency also informed that “some implicating documents were also found and downloaded from their laptops,” adding that “they are to be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.”