Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismantled a syndicate running a hotel review job scam targeting victims in the United Kingdom.
Acting on intelligence, the EFCC carried out the operation on Thursday at Naka Hall Plaza, Abutu Garba Street, Gudu, Abuja.
According to the Commission, 105 suspects, including four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians, were apprehended during the raid.
It also said that the operatives recovered 100 compact workstations used by the suspects for the fraudulent scheme.
It further stated that the hotel review job scam is a relatively new internet fraud in Nigeria, but it has global roots.
According to EFCC investigations, the scam involves Chinese nationals recruiting skilled Nigerian locals to work as customer service representatives.
“These representatives, operating under fake identities, engage foreign victims—mostly from Europe, online. Victims are lured with offers of $5 per hotel review, with the promise of increased payments over time.
“As trust builds, victims are encouraged to book hotels for as much as $500, with assurances of reimbursement plus interest via a crypto wallet.
“However, after making payments, victims are unable to access the promised funds, resulting in financial loss,” EFCC said.
Describing the scam, Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s head of media & publicity, said: “This fraud is a sophisticated mechanism targeting foreigners, particularly in Europe.
“It is designed to extract large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals through false representation and trust-building.”
According to the statement, the Abuja operation comes barely a month after EFCC operatives arrested 792 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos. The December 10, 2024, raid at the Big Leaf Building, Victoria Island, uncovered an elaborate investment scam targeting international victims.
EFCC noted that it is collaborating with law enforcement agencies worldwide to unravel the global dimensions of these cybercrimes.
“The suspects from both the Abuja and Lagos operations are expected to be charged to court soon”, it said.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime, especially as emerging scams increasingly target foreigners.
The Commission urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.
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