**The EFCC Raid**...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
The EFCC, acting on a tip about suspected fraudsters in an estate in Lugbe, conducted a raid that caused significant disturbance, waking 26-year-old Marcel and making his heart race.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Confused, Marcel peeked out and saw the EFCC van and officers entering his neighbor’s apartment.
In a panic, Marcel, who had been using his phone for fraudulent activities, quickly wrapped it in a nylon bag and hid it in the toilet bowl’s pipe.
Marcel described the chaotic scene: “I was terrified. I hid my phone in the toilet pipe because I thought it was the safest place, even though I feared they might still find it. I knew if they discovered it, I would be caught.”
In Nigeria, Internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo boys or G-boys, often use terms like “bombing” (finding victims online) and “grinding” (chatting with victims) to describe their activities. Marcel, realizing the severity of the situation, feared his phone might reveal his illicit activities.
The EFCC officers barged into Marcel’s room, searching thoroughly and even checking the toilet tank, but they did not find his phone.
After the raid, Marcel borrowed a phone to call his mother in Lagos, who was a fervent Pentecostal. She was distressed but believed her prayers had protected Marcel from arrest.
Marcel noted that many other G-boys in his estate were arrested, including some innocent individuals. He was relieved that his phone, crucial for his fraudulent activities, was not discovered.
**The Evolution of Yahoo Boys**
The term ‘Yahoo boys’ emerged in the early 2000s, referring to young individuals using Yahoo.com emails for phishing scams, known in Nigeria as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ or ‘419 fraud’.
Over time, these fraudsters have diversified into elderly fraud, fake job scams, and romance scams.
According to Meta Platforms’ Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report, 63,000 accounts associated with Yahoo boys were recently removed from Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp due to their involvement in financial sextortion and blackmail schemes.
**High-Profile Cases and Tactics**
One notable case is Ramon Abbas, also known as Ray Hushpuppi, who was sentenced to 135 months in U.S. federal prison in November 2022.
Abbas, a notorious international fraudster, laundered millions through online scams and showcased his lavish lifestyle on social media before his arrest in Dubai in June 2020.
**Concealment Strategies**
In response to the EFCC’s frequent raids, Yahoo boys employ various tactics to avoid detection. Some live modestly or adopt disguises.
For instance, some fraudsters pose as doctors or engage in legitimate businesses to obscure their true activities. Others use cryptocurrencies and forex trading as fronts for their scams.
**Religious and Spiritual Tactics**
Many Yahoo boys seek spiritual protection through religious rituals or prayers. Some turn to white garment churches, which are often associated with African traditional rites, while others consult clerics for protective rituals.
According to sources, groups of parents and relatives of Yahoo boys even form WhatsApp groups to offer spiritual support and organize events.
**The EFCC’s Response**
The EFCC is well-aware of these evasion tactics. The agency frequently encounters impersonation and identity theft in its investigations.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, highlighted that many charges against fraudsters include impersonation and obtaining money under false pretenses, indicating that these tactics are well-recognized by law enforcement.
