LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities recently arrested 792 people, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a major operation targeting a scam that combined fake online romances with cryptocurrency fraud.
The Big Raid
On December 10, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Big Leaf Building, a luxurious seven-story facility in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. This building served as a call center where scammers tricked people—mostly from the Americas and Europe—into sending money for fake investments and other non-existent projects.
How the Scam Worked
- Targeting Victims:
Scammers used social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram to connect with victims. They often pretended to be romantically interested or offered “amazing” investment opportunities. - Building Trust:
Nigerian scammers would build trust with their targets (often from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and parts of Europe) through friendly chats and emotional manipulation. - Stealing Money:
Once the victims trusted them, foreign masterminds (mostly Chinese and Filipino nationals) would take over. They pressured victims into sending money, claiming it would go toward cryptocurrency investments that promised big profits. In reality, the money disappeared into the scammers’ pockets.
What Authorities Found
During the raid, EFCC agents seized:
- Computers
- Phones
- Vehicles
These tools were used to run the large-scale operation.
International Collaboration
The EFCC is now working with international partners to investigate whether this scam has connections to larger organized crime networks. Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesperson, emphasized that this was a carefully planned operation to shut down a major fraud hub targeting innocent people worldwide.
Why This Matters
This raid highlights the dangers of online scams, especially those involving fake romances and promises of quick profits through cryptocurrency. It serves as a warning to be extra careful when chatting with strangers online, even if they seem friendly or offer opportunities that sound “too good to be true.”
Authorities are now questioning the arrested individuals and gathering evidence to ensure justice is served.
