The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Office has arrested a self-acclaimed social media influencer, Adedamola Adewale, and four others for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud known locally as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’.
The five suspects were apprehended in different areas of Lagos during a raid by operatives.
While Adewale, 20, and his accomplice, Lamina Ajibola, were arrested at the Agungi area of Lekki, Lagos State, the trio of Israel Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Olayode and Valentine Nwokorie were picked up at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The arrest of Adewale and Ajibola was sequel to intelligence linking them to online fraudulent activities with two brothers, Lasisi Adeleke and Lasisi Adeniyi, who are at large.
They were arrested at a four-bedroom duplex belonging to the two run-away alleged fraudsters.
Intelligence also linked them with alleged flamboyant lifestyles.
During interrogation, Adewale, a self-acclaimed model, who goes by the username @adeherself on Instagram, confessed to being a “picker” in cyber crimes.
He usually poses as a lady to hoodwink his foreign “preys”.
Items recovered from the suspects include two Toyota Camry 2009 model cars, and a sum of N9m which was found in Adewale’s account.
The other suspects – Onyebuchi, Olayode and Nwokorie – were arrested for their alleged involvement in a romance scam. They were arrested during another raid, following a separate intelligence.
Investigation revealed that Nwokorie was posing as a female American citizen and sending photos as a porn star to defraud his victim while Onyebuchi was engaging in a love scam as well as forging foreign cheques.
Items recovered from the suspects include laptops and mobile phones.
All the suspects will soon be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded, the EFCC said.
