The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is linking names of the 80 suspects released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in America to local Yahoo Boys on the street of Nigeria.
Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, disclosed this while speaking through the Head of the Ibadan zonal office, Friday Ebelo, during a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Magu, the agency is collating comprehensive data on the Nigerians indicted in the recently busted money laundering and cyber crime offences in the United States.
He described the massive data collection as part of the collaborative activities between the EFCC and FBI to ensure that criminal elements are exposed and made to pay for their crimes.
During the Press Conference, Elebo took attendees through the intricate connections between the local Yahoo Boys and their offshore criminal collaborators.
According to him, the essence of the data mining exercise was to established any form of relationship the indicted individuals may have with Nigeria-based suspects, and how this could help in furthering the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.
He said some of the information earlier collected have led to the arrest of many internet fraudsters, adding that one of the kingpins was nabbed during a recent raid in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The kingpin Ajayi Gbenga Festus, he added, was found to be deeply involved in many internet-related frauds from which he had benefited up to N75 million in the last eight months.
“We were able to establish a number of illicit transactions through his Nigerian bank account amounting to over N223 million. Ajayi serves as conduit pipe through which proceeds of crime reach members of the syndicate,” he stated.
Recall that 80 suspects most of whom were Nigerians were allegedly involved in the crimes investigated by the FBI in America.
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