The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Oyediran Joseph described as one of the “most wanted” internet fraudsters by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
Sharu Isyaku, zonal head of the commission, disclosed this at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, on Friday.
The development comes one week after the FBI released a list of 77 Nigerians said to be involved in one of the largest scams in US history.
Checks however showed that Joseph is not among the 77 suspects whose identities were revealed last week.
Isyaku said the suspect had illegally benefited about N60 million via Western Union Transfer.
“Just last three weeks, the US authority had written to us for assistance in tracking and possible arrest and prosecution of two most wanted FBI suspects in Nigeria,” Isyaku said.
“The Commission acceded to their request. The Commission has been supportive of the activities of the FBI and every other foreign counterpart whose responsibility is similar or analogous to ours.”
He revealed that the zone had traced four properties linked to some cyber crime suspects in choice areas at Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti Ssate.
He said the properties include supermarket and plaza with market value of between N800m and N1bn.
“Within seven months of our operation, the Ilorin zonal office has independently arrested over 58 suspected internet fraudsters, secured conviction of 25 and got forfeiture of their exotic cars and money running into millions of Naira,” he said.