EFCC Busts Abuja ‘Yahoo Academy’, Arrests 31 Suspects, Recovers Devices

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday said it arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters during a sting operation at an alleged “Yahoo academy” in Karu, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In a statement shared on its official X handle, the commission said the suspects were arrested at Becki Estate “while undergoing internet fraud tutorials,” adding that they comprise “two kingpins and interns.”

The EFCC disclosed that items recovered from the suspects included “phones, 18 laptop computers and other gadgets.”

According to the Commission, Investigations revealed that some of the trainees were allegedly lured from Benue State by the operators with promises of job opportunities but were instead recruited into cyber fraud activities.

The statement further noted that “upon settling down at the facility, (they) were handed communication devices, computers and software, setting the stage for their training in cyber fraud.”

It added that the suspects were kept within the premises, stating that “the proprietors house the recruits in the academy and restrict their movements strictly within the perimeters of the facility.”

The EFCC also alleged that the operators confiscated the recruits’ phones, “thus totally cutting them off from the outside world.”

According to the agency, “corporal punishment was the order of the day,” adding that “heavy-handed physical assault (was) meted out to interns who were seen to be recalcitrant.”

The Commission said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.