In a relentless effort to curb cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues its crackdown on internet fraudsters, known as "Yahoo boys," who are devising new methods to evade capture, including spiritual protection to conceal their identities, reports Victor Ayeni.
The EFCC's recent raid in the Lugbe area of Abuja, sparked by a tip-off, led to the arrest of several suspected fraudsters. One young man, Marcel, narrowly escaped detention during the raid. "I wrapped my phone in a nylon bag and shoved it in the toilet pipe to hide it from the EFCC," Marcel admitted, describing his desperate attempt to conceal the device used for fraudulent activities.
Marcel, an Imo State native, confessed to Saturday PUNCH that his mother, a staunch member of a Pentecostal church, prays for his protection, which he believes shielded him from arrest. His mother, Bridget, warned him of impending danger after a prophetic dream about his arrest by EFCC officials.
The rise of 'Yahoo boys' can be traced back to the early 2000s when young Nigerians began using Yahoo.com email accounts to carry out phishing scams, now commonly referred to as "Yahoo Yahoo" or "419 fraud." These fraudsters exploit digital cyberspace to deceive victims through various scams, including romance, fake jobs, and business email compromises.
Meta Platforms Incorporated recently reported the removal of 63,000 accounts linked to 'Yahoo boys' from Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in its Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report. These accounts were involved in financial sextortion scams and distributing blackmail scripts.
Prominent examples of internet fraud include Ramon Abbas, known as Ray Hushpuppi, who was sentenced to 135 months in a U.S. federal prison in November 2022 for laundering millions of dollars through online scams.
As the EFCC intensifies its operations, many fraudsters have altered their lifestyles to avoid detection. Olalekan, a former student caught in a raid, now disguises himself as a Muslim cleric. "I was charged to court and had my photo posted on the EFCC’s Instagram account," Olalekan said, highlighting the severe consequences of getting caught.
Others, like Isaiah from Ogun State, pose as professionals such as doctors or movie producers to disguise their illicit activities. "I hang a lab coat in my car and have an ID card. Everyone calls me a doctor," Isaiah explained.
Some fraudsters seek protection through spiritual means, with parents or partners performing rituals on their behalf. In one case, a Yahoo boy's mother was seen conducting a ritual with a chicken to protect him from authorities.
Despite these tactics, the EFCC remains vigilant. "We are aware of these disguising strategies," said EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale. "This is why charges like impersonation, identity theft, and obtaining money under pretenses are common against them in court."
The EFCC continues its fight against cybercrime, urging the public to be cautious and report suspicious activities. With ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks, the agency aims to restore integrity to Nigeria's cyberspace.
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