By Dansu Peter The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a notorious internet fraud training center, commonly referred to as a 'Yaho...
By Dansu Peter
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the operation in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that four alleged Yahoo experts and six trainees were apprehended during the sting operation.
“During the successful operation, detectives apprehended four suspected Yahoo experts aged 22, 23, 25, and 26, who were running the illegal school. The other six suspects, aged between 12 and 26, were their trainees, undergoing intensive training in cybercrime and fraudulent schemes,” Hundeyin disclosed.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the principal suspects lured young trainees from Anambra State, exploiting them to perpetrate internet fraud and related criminal activities. According to Hundeyin, the fraudsters confiscated all proceeds from their trainees’ illicit operations, deepening their exploitation.
All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation and prosecution. Efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices involved in the criminal network.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school, as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal activities occurred. The owner is urged, in his own interest, to surrender himself at the SCID, Yaba, from wherever he is hiding,” Hundeyin stated.
Concerning the welfare of the 12-year-old minor, Hundeyin noted that the child, who bore healing marks of injuries allegedly inflicted by the principal suspect, was receiving medical care.
“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect, allegedly subjected to physical abuse to compel his involvement in criminal activities, is being provided with medical attention and kept in protective custody until his relatives are identified and reunited with him,” he added.
Hundeyin also advised parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from falling prey to criminal exploitation.
Additionally, the police urged victims of the syndicate’s fraudulent schemes to report to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints for proper investigation and redress.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, praised the officers for their dedication and professionalism throughout the operation.
“CP Jimoh commends the personnel involved in the operation for their diligence and commitment, which led to this success. The command remains resolute in combating all forms of crime and criminality, including cybercrime,” Hundeyin stated.
The CP further urged residents to report any suspicious activities within their communities to law enforcement agencies for swift intervention.
No comments