The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its recent operation that led to the arrest of 792 suspects, most of whom are foreign nationals, allegedly involved in a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment and romance scam network.
CISLAC described the operation carried out on December 10, 2024, at a seven-story building in Victoria Island, Lagos, as a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria, noting that it challenges the prevailing global narrative that disproportionately links Nigerians to internet fraud.
According to the EFCC, the suspects include 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two citizens of Kharzartan, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian. The syndicate is believed to have recruited and trained young Nigerians to serve as local operatives, using their identities to mask the activities of the foreign masterminds behind the operations.
Speaking on the development, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, applauded the EFCC’s efforts and professionalism. He said the arrest “underscores the Commission’s dedication to tackling cybercrime at the highest level and proves that these crimes are often orchestrated by international actors who exploit vulnerable Nigerians for their schemes.”
Rafsanjani added that the operation debunks the harmful stereotype that Nigerians are the main perpetrators of cybercrime. “What we are seeing is a transnational criminal hierarchy where foreign masterminds manipulate and discard Nigerian youth after using them to front illegal operations,” he said.
He also warned that such narratives have long damaged Nigeria’s international reputation and obscured the role of foreign actors who operate behind the scenes. “These syndicates prey on unemployed or desperate young people by offering fake job opportunities and financial incentives, only to expose them to criminal risk while remaining in the shadows.”
CISLAC urged the EFCC to carry out a thorough, transparent investigation to ensure all parties regardless of nationality are held accountable. The Organisation also called on the Nigerian government to increase investment in youth-focused initiatives, digital safeguards, and cyber-literacy programs aimed at reducing vulnerability to online fraud and recruitment by criminal networks.
The group emphasised that the fight against cybercrime cannot be won in isolation. In a statement, CISLAC said, “Sustainable progress in combating cybercrime requires strong institutional collaboration among key agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Customs Service.”
It pointed out that many foreign criminals exploit weaknesses in immigration control to enter and operate in the country illegally. “Enhanced immigration screening and proactive enforcement would prevent many of these actors from embedding themselves within local communities,” the organisation stated.
CISLAC also highlighted the role of the Nigeria Customs Service in intercepting illegal arms, equipment, and contraband used to facilitate organised crime.
Strengthened border surveillance and inter-agency intelligence sharing, it said, would significantly support the EFCC in dismantling both foreign-led and locally-supported criminal syndicates.
The Organisation further called for deeper engagement with international partners, multilateral institutions, and credible civil society organizations. These entities, it noted, can provide “critical intelligence, credible data, and technical support that strengthen investigative and prosecutorial efforts.”
In addition to law enforcement, CISLAC stressed the importance of media and public awareness in addressing the social dimensions of cybercrime. It noted with concern the growing number of Nigerian students abandoning their education in pursuit of “quick money” through online scams.
“The media must play a proactive role in reshaping public perception and educating young Nigerians on the long-term dangers of cybercrime,” the organization stated. It recommended nationwide awareness campaigns and youth empowerment programs as essential tools for prevention.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the EFCC and other institutions working to restore Nigeria’s global image. It reiterated the need for a unified national strategy that addresses the root causes of cybercrime, promotes lawful opportunities for youth, and ensures accountability across all levels of criminal activity.
