The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters during an early morning sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, in the Lekki area of Lagos State, recovering five exotic cars allegedly connected to their activities.
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The commission disclosed that preliminary investigations implicated 19 of the suspects in alleged cybercrime activities, while the remaining two were released after investigators found insufficient grounds to continue holding them.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the operation was conducted at approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, October 26, following surveillance and intelligence gathering on the activities of suspected fraudsters operating within the estate.
According to Oyewale, the suspects were allegedly involved in defrauding unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrency transactions and international money transfers.
“The operation, carried out by 5am, yielded the arrest of twenty-one (21) suspected cybercrime fraudsters and five exotic cars,” the statement read.
The commission explained that its operatives conducted surveillance and reconnaissance before carrying out the arrests to ensure that the operation was properly coordinated.
“The fraudsters were apprehended professionally owing to diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the activities of the fraudsters,” Oyewale stated.
The EFCC also disclosed that a young woman was temporarily detained during the operation after she allegedly attempted to alert the suspects to the presence of operatives.
According to the commission, the woman made telephone calls to warn the suspected fraudsters while the operation was ongoing.
“A young lady that stood in the way of the operation by making telephone calls to alert the fraudsters was held and her phone confiscated until the conclusion of the operation. The phone was later released to her,” the statement added.
The commission did not disclose whether the woman was formally arrested, charged with any offence or released immediately after the operation.
Providing an update on the suspects, Oyewale said preliminary investigations had established grounds for further proceedings against 19 of the 21 persons initially arrested.
“Preliminary investigations of the arrested suspects indicted nineteen (19) of them while the remaining two have been released,” he said.
He added that the commission was preparing to prosecute those implicated in the alleged fraudulent activities.
“All the indicted suspects will be arraigned in court immediately,” Oyewale stated.
The EFCC did not disclose the identities of the suspects, the specific offences to be preferred against them, the estimated value of the five recovered vehicles or the amounts allegedly obtained from victims.
It also did not identify the countries where the alleged victims were located or provide details of the cryptocurrency platforms and international money transfer channels allegedly used.
The commission maintained that the operation formed part of its continuing efforts to combat cybercrime, financial fraud and other economic offences across the country.
Oyewale urged Nigerians to support the commission’s anti-corruption efforts and reject activities capable of damaging the country’s reputation.
“While the EFCC continues its crusade and operational dynamics against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, the public is enjoined to keep faith with it and loudly condemn the activities of fraudsters bringing the nation to disrepute,” he said.
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