- EFCC arrests 792 people in Lagos for allegedly participating in crypto schemes.
- An international syndicate exploited social media to target victims globally.
As a researcher with extensive experience in the field of cybercrime and financial scams, this recent development in Nigeria has caught my attention. Having closely followed similar cases worldwide, it seems that the pig butchering scam is yet another sophisticated method used by international criminal syndicates to exploit vulnerable individuals. The fact that this operation was run from a building in Lagos, a bustling city I visited years ago for a conference, adds a chilling dimension to the story.
On December 10, 2024, the authorities in Nigeria apprehended 792 individuals who were thought to be involved in a cross-border crypto romance fraud. The suspected operation, believed to be vast, was primarily based in Lagos. Among those arrested were 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, with others of Nigerian descent also implicated as part of the syndicate. This group is known to have orchestrated an international scam called the pig butchering scheme.
The individuals who fled a building in Lagos were found to have spread deceptive cryptocurrency investment opportunities, often targeting victims primarily from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and various European nations via phishing schemes. Once these Nigerian operatives had gained the trust of their victims online, criminal networks overseas would step in, putting pressure on them to withdraw significant sums of money.
Scammers are said to be predominantly running their schemes on social media platforms. These scammers create false investment opportunities to lure people into giving them money. Recently, this method has gained popularity due to its effectiveness for quick financial transactions, earning it the nickname “pig butchering.
Chinese Crypto Scam Groups Increasing Presence in Africa
According to Ken Gamble, a co-founder of IFW Global who focuses on cybercrime, Chinese crime groups often expand their influence into regions with weaker cybersecurity, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. As Gamble stated, they offer advanced technology, financial resources, and infrastructure that enable local fraudsters to operate more effectively.
In Lagos, there were smaller suspected scams involving numerous participants. Unlike local wages, the company often offered individuals substantially higher salaries, sometimes as much as $500 per month – far exceeding the national minimum wage.
This is a significant operation in Nigeria’s battle against crypto-related fraud, sparking discussions on stricter regulations and increased public education.
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2024-12-19 22:38