The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Office, has arrested six suspected internet fraudsters, who specialize in hacking into Facebook accounts of unsuspecting victims and defrauding them.
The commission in a statement on Wednesday said the suspects were arrested in a two-bedroom apartment, located at No. 54 Church Road, Off Calabar Itu Expressway, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following intelligence reports.
The suspects are Lawrence Nnamdi-Mba Ebesike; Prince E. Udeh; Chijioke Victor; Promise Odimba; Ugbor Ifeanyi and Prince Anthony, all within 22 and 29 years age bracket.
During interrogation, the suspects said the apartment which serves as their home and office was rented by their leader, Ebesike. They stated that they have only made about $4,000,00 (Four thousand United States Dollars) from cyber fraud.
Ebesike who claimed to be a musician with the stage name “Lawre Blue” confessed to the crime and gave a detailed account of how they carry out their operations on Facebook.
“I am into internet fraud. Part of how I operate is that I edit Facebook accounts, go to Google and search for pictures of United State military personnel.
“I download some of these pictures and put them on my fake Facebook accounts. After doing that, I target foreigners, mostly old white women who are in need of men.
“I stay online all day trying to befriend them. After convincing them, I will make them apply for my leave so that I can see them,” Ebesike confessed.
He further revealed that the syndicate has a US-based partner, named Benjamin Best, whom he said provides them with the account where their victims make payments into.
“After convincing my victims, Benjamin will provide an account for me to give them to pay the money into. He usually takes his commission before sending mine to me,” he said.
EFCC added that all suspects will be charged to court soon.
