For collaborating in an operation that yielded of 167 persons in Nigeria and an additional 114 in the United State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has certicated 44 officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
According to a statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade, the officers participated in a joint field operation with the FBI tagged ‘Operation Rewired’ .
The certificates of recognition were handed to them on Thursday.
Assistant Legal Attaché FBI, Heather Armstrong, during the presentation of certificates to the meritorious EFCC officers at the Lagos Office of the Commission, stated that the award of the certificates was in appreciation of the officers’ collaboration with the FBI, in tackling the menace of cyber crimes.
“The FBI wishes to present the EFCC with certification of our appreciation for continued collaboration against cyber crimes. The purpose of this event is to show enhanced collaboration between the EFCC and the FBI on cyber security,” he stated
It could be recalled that ‘Operation Rewired,’ which was a coordinated law enforcement effort by the U.S. Department of Justice and the EFCC, was conducted over a four months period.
Meanwhile, the Enugu zonal office of the Commission, on Thursday arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters, including a female at Airport View Estate Thinkers Corner, Enugu State.
The arrest followed several calls by the residents to the increasing activities of internet fraudsters in the area. After several intelligence reports on the alleged criminal lifestyles of the suspects, EFCC operatives raided them and picked them up.
Interim investigation revealed that the suspected female fraudster was discovered to have a document in her phone with an instruction and format used in defrauding their victims.
Items recovered by EFCC operatives during the raid, conducted in four buildings are: a Toyota Venza, Mercedes Benz C350, two Lexus Jeeps, one GLK 350 Mercedes Benz, two ES350 Lexus, a Mustang 455FA car and mobile phones, laptops, computers, and several MTN Sim packs, among other other incriminating items.
Those found culpable would be arraigned in due course after investigations have been concluded.
Tony Orilade
Acting Head, Media & Publicity
January 31, 2020