The acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu has disclosed that the agency recorded an arrest of over 200 suspected internet fraudsters, otherwise known as Yahoo Yahoo boys in the month of October.
Making the disclosure during the interactive session with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, Mr Magu stated that the biggest catch of the commission was internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his accomplice, a Lebanese named Hamza Koudeih.
According Magu, the suspects who were “kingpins of an Organised Cyber Syndicate Network (OCSN)”, allegedly laundered a total of N33 billion.
He said “Five wristwatches valued at over N60 million were recovered from Mompha at the point of arrest.
“Investigation has also revealed that he operates 51 bank accounts in Nigeria with which he acquired properties in Dubai and had laundered about N14 billion through Ismalob Global Investments Limited.
“His accomplice, Koudeih, also has two firms namely: THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited with which he has allegedly laundered about N19 billion.
“Koudeih lives in a five million dollar per annum suite at the Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower, Victoria Island Lagos.’
“The effort to flush out all fraudsters continues. At the same time, we will sustain the tempo of vigorous prosecution of fraud cases in court.
“Indeed, fraudsters account for a huge percentage of the 890 convictions that has been recorded by the commission this year.
“A number of assets have been seized, while victims have also enjoyed restitution by order of court,” he said.