The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its crackdown on internet fraud, arresting 134 suspects across Nigeria in March 2025. According to data released by the agency, Kwara State emerged as the hotspot for these crimes, with 37 arrests, accounting for 27.6% of the total. Delta and Akwa Ibom followed with 30 (22.4%) and 23 (17.1%) arrests, respectively.
The EFCC secured 83 convictions during the same period, with Edo State leading at 46 convictions. Sentences ranged from three months to four years in prison, often accompanied by fines between ₦30,000 and ₦500,000. Critics have raised concerns about the leniency of these penalties, particularly when compared to the large sums stolen by fraudsters.
Among notable cases, a husband-and-wife duo impersonated Katsina State’s First Lady to steal ₦197.75 million. Another case involved two brothers convicted in Maiduguri for stealing ₦8.2 million; they each received four-year jail terms or a fine of ₦100,000.
The EFCC seized significant assets from suspects, including 81 smartphones, 24 laptops, 29 cars, ₦6 million in cash, and $400. Despite these efforts, the scale of internet fraud continues to challenge law enforcement.
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