The Delta State Police Command has paraded 123 suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo Boys,” after a successful raid conducted by soldiers from the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The suspects were apprehended at the Army Estate in Effurun and subsequently handed over to the Ekpan Police Divisional Headquarters in Uvwie Local Government Area.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The suspects, aged between 17 and 25, were members of a notorious cybercrime syndicate known as “HK” (Hustle Kingdom), which operates as a training school for internet fraud activities.
Many of the young men were reportedly deceived into joining the syndicate under the guise of learning Bitcoin and forex trading, only to find themselves ensnared in fraudulent schemes run by the “HK” network.
Meanwhile, Edafe stressed that the arrest by the military came after one of the suspects contacted his family member via the laptop given to him by the academy operators.
He said that upon informing his family about the trap he was caught in, the family contacted the military, leading to the arrest of 123 suspects, most of whom were teenagers.
According to Edafe, the suspects were lured into a trap with promises of learning BTC trading and forex, only to find themselves in HK, a notorious cybercrime training network.
The police spokesperson added that many of the young men were lured into the syndicate under the false pretence of learning forex trading, but instead were taught fraudulent practices.
“Many of these young men were lured into this group because of their desire for quick wealth. Some have been in the HK School for over three months without contacting their families,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the lack of parental involvement, noting, “I wonder why parents do not report to the police when their children go missing for extended periods. Most of these problems are as a result of poor parenting.”
During the raid, it was gathered that the group’s handlers had confiscated the recruits’ phones, locking them inside the building and feeding them only once a day.
He said, “Their modus operandi is that they engage their agents who go on social media to flaunt wealth, which most times isn’t even theirs, and convince unsuspecting boys aged 17, 18, 19, and 20 that they want to teach them forex and crypto business.”
He explained that they lure victims from Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, and Ibadan in Oyo State to that particular estate and beat the hell out of them, feeding them only when they feel like.
He noted that some were arrested along with four drivers hired to transport them, though the drivers were later released after confirming their lack of involvement in the criminal activities.
Edafe said the suspects were deceived by agents flaunting fake wealth on social media, convincing them to join the fraudulent scheme.
He added that the agents would then lure them to the estate, where they were subjected to physical abuse and exploitation.
Edafe said all the 123 suspects would be charged to court.