Forty two internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during early morning raids on their hideouts in Enugu and Anambra States, the commission announced on Friday, August 13.
While 29 of the internet fraudsters were arrested at their hideouts in Awka, Anambra State, the other 13 were picked up in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, following intelligence reports gathered on their involvement in internet frauds in the two states.
The names of the 42 Yahoo Boys arrested in both states were given as Chimezie Anyamutaku, Chinonso Dominic, Onyekachi Nwankwo, Ikenna Austin, Chinonso Anthony Caesar, Felix Okechukwu Chikagu, Dera Okoye, Victor Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Emeka Izu John, Raphael Gbughemobi, Okorie Charles, Onyeoji Chukwuemeka, Enem Bontis Obinna Udoka, Chibueze Udechukwu Ofor, Lawrence Oyegu, Soburu Kingsley, and Ikechukwu Umeakunne.
Others included Pascal Benjamin, Emeka Valentine, Nzube Kenneth Paul, Kelechi Elvis, Emmanuel Nwugo, Henry Onyebuchi Okoli, Uchechukwu Kachi, Onyekachi Promise, Innocent Victor Ikenna, Ekene Emmanuel, Chisom Nwora.
Also arrested were Emmanuel Dimgba, Martin Chukwudalu, Nweze Desmond, Franklin Archibong, Austin Ikpeoha, Arinze Osakwe, Chukwuemeka Franklin, Emmanuel Murewa, Echefulam Uche, Ugochukwu Eze, Goodman Samuel, Emmanuel Nwoye and Ekene Udeh.
According to a statement by the anti graft agency on its Facebook wall, at the pints of their arrests, nine vehicles including two Lexus ES350, one Acura ZDX, one Lexus GS300, a Toyota Camry, a Mercedes Benz ML320, one Lexus RX330, a Lexus ES330 and one Mercedes Benz GLK350, phones, laptops, among others, were recovered from them.
The statement added that the young men would be charged to court as soon as investigations about their activities are concluded.
According to the statement: “Operatives of the Enugu zone of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 42 suspected internet fraudsters in separate operations in Awka, Anambra State and Enugu in Enugu State, during early morning raids on their hideouts.
Twenty nine of them were arrested in Awka while 13 were arrested in Enugu following intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet frauds.
“Those arrested were Chimezie Anyamutaku, Chinonso Dominic, Onyekachi Nwankwo, Ikenna Austin, Chinonso Anthony Caesar, Felix Okechukwu Chikagu, Dera Okoye, Victor Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Emeka Izu John, Raphael Gbughemobi, Okorie Charles, Onyeoji Chukwuemeka, Enem Bontis Obinna Udoka, Chibueze Udechukwu Ofor, Lawrence Oyegu, Soburu Kingsley, and Ikechukwu Umeakunne.
“Others included Pascal Benjamin, Emeka Valentine, Nzube Kenneth Paul, Kelechi Elvis, Emmanuel Nwugo, Henry Onyebuchi Okoli, Uchechukwu Kachi, Onyekachi Promise, Innocent Victor Ikenna, Ekene Emmanuel, Chisom Nwora.
Also arrested were Emmanuel Dimgba, Martin Chukwudalu, Nweze Desmond, Franklin Archibong, Austin Ikpeoha, Arinze Osakwe, Chukwuemeka Franklin, Emmanuel Murewa, Echefulam Uche, Ugochukwu Eze, Goodman Samuel, Emmanuel Nwoye and Ekene Udeh.
“Some of the items recovered from them included laptops, several phones and nine luxury vehicles including two Lexus ES350, one Acura ZDX, one Lexus GS300, a Toyota Camry, a Mercedes Benz ML320, one Lexus RX330, a Lexus ES330 and one Mercedes Benz GLK350.
“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”