The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has busted an alleged ‘Yahoo academy’ in Abuja, arresting 31 suspected internet fraudsters.
The agency disclosed this in a statement shared via its official X account. According to the EFCC, the suspects, made up of two alleged ringleaders and several trainees, were apprehended while receiving training in internet fraud.
The commission said it recovered several items during the operation, including mobile phones, 18 laptops, and other electronic gadgets.
What they are saying
The EFCC said the operation was carried out on Thursday, April 9, 2026, adding that some of the trainees were reportedly lured from Benue State under false pretences.
- “Investigation by the EFCC revealed that some of the interns were lured all the way from Benue State by the academy proprietors with the promise of job offers, but upon settling down at the facility, were handed communication devices, computers and software, setting the stage for their training in cyber fraud,” the statement reads in part.
The commission added that the recruits were confined within the facility, with strict movement restrictions and their phones seized to prevent communication with the outside world.
- “To enforce compliance and dedication, the proprietors house the recruits in the academy and restrict their movements strictly within the perimeters of the facility and forcibly take possession of their mobile phones, thus totally cutting them off from the outside world,” it added.
It further disclosed that erring trainees were subjected to physical punishment, noting that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
More insights
Internet fraud, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ in Nigeria, involves using digital platforms to deceive victims, often through phishing emails, fake identities, romance scams, or fraudulent investment schemes, to obtain money or sensitive information.
Reports have consistently ranked Nigeria among countries with a high prevalence of internet fraud, even as the country also struggles with relatively low levels of cybersecurity protection, making it vulnerable to such crimes.
Amid rising cases, the EFCC in September 2025 blamed individuals involved in internet fraud and money laundering for stricter visa conditions imposed on Nigerians by foreign countries, citing reputational damage caused by such activities.
What you should know
The latest arrest adds to a string of crackdowns by the EFCC targeting cybercrime networks across the country.
In May 2025, the commission arrested 120 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos during a major operation aimed at dismantling online fraud syndicates. Authorities seized items, including 26 luxury vehicles and numerous smartphones.
In a separate operation in Abuja, the EFCC apprehended 105 suspects, comprising 101 Nigerians and four foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in internet fraud schemes, including fake hotel review job scams that targeted victims abroad.
The agency also arrested 28 suspected Ponzi scheme operators in Minna, Niger State, accusing them of enticing investors with unrealistic returns and collecting fees under false pretences, with plans to arraign them in court.
