Nigerian law enforcement officials in Lagos, a bustling West African metropolis, have dismantled a large-scale operation that relied on online romance ploys and fake cryptocurrency schemes to extract money from unsuspecting targets abroad. Officers arrested nearly 800 individuals, including over 100 foreign nationals, during a raid on a seven-story building suspected of serving as a well-organized fraud center.
Inside this lavish property, workers communicated with people overseas through messaging apps and social media platforms. They forged personal connections, presented themselves as potential romantic partners, or offered enticing investment deals in cryptocurrency. Once they gained trust, they pressured their victims into sending funds for fraudulent ventures. According to investigators, the sophisticated setup allowed the criminals to target individuals in the Americas and Europe, exploiting the anonymity of the internet to mask their true intentions.
Authorities uncovered evidence of a methodical approach. Local operatives recruited victims by establishing initial contact, then handed them off to foreign conspirators who handled the actual financial scams. Officials confiscated numerous devices, vehicles, and other assets during the operation. They stressed the need for international cooperation to identify further connections to organized crime groups and to track down stolen funds.
This major crackdown demonstrates the determination of regional authorities to combat cybercrime and restore trust in digital interactions. By exposing these unscrupulous networks, they hope to deter future perpetrators, protect vulnerable individuals seeking genuine connections, and foster a safer online environment for all.