From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 105 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja, comprising four Chinese and 101 Nigerians, for their involvement in a hotel review job scam targeting mostly United Kingdom victims.
The suspects were apprehended on January 9, 2025, at Naka Hall Plaza in Abutu Garba Street, Gudu, Abuja, and 100 compact workstations were recovered from them.
Head, Media and Publicity for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, told newsmen that the hotel review job scam is a globally entrenched internet-related fraud that has newly emerged in Nigeria.
According to him, the scam involves Chinese nationals recruiting local and computer-savvy Nigerians as customer service representatives.
He stressed further that these representatives work on a prepared template of criminality online, using foreign identities and names to chat with expatriates.
He said the scam begins with false representations to victims, who are promised $5 for every hotel review.
As victims get paid, they are encouraged to review more hotels, with payments increasing to $10 per rating, he added.
He further explained that victims are convinced to make bookings in rated hotels for up to $500, with promises of reimbursement with interest into a crypto wallet bearing their names.
However, victims are unable to access the wallet, resulting in financial loss.
The EFCC is working with international law enforcement agencies to investigate the global dimensions of this crime.
This latest breakthrough comes barely a month after 792 suspected investment and internet fraudsters were arrested in Lagos.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to eradicating internet fraud and other corrupt practices in Nigeria, vowed to continue to pursue perpetrators of cybercrime both locally and internationally.