EFCC arrests 280 cybercrime suspects in Kano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested no fewer than 280 suspects for various cybercrimes in Kano state between January and August this year.

Zonal Head of the Commission in Kano, Akaninyene Ezima, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Monday.

Ezima said the suspects were apprehended for committing crimes bordering on cybercrimes, money laundering and other forms of crimes like black money, wash-wash, foxy scheme and MMM, among others.

He said the commission has also recovered N550 million and $690,000 during the period under review, pointing out that the $690,000 were recovered at the Malam Aminu Kano International, Airport.

According to him, the commission is currently pursuing 51 cases of various offences in courts under the zone, stating that investigation into several cases have also attained different stages of completion.

The official advised management of banks operating in the states under the zone to improve their response system in order to protect their customers from being duped by fraudsters.

He noted that most of the crimes were being perpetrated during weekends when banks were not operating.

“So by improving the response system of the banks, the banks can avert any attempt by such criminals to steal from someone’s account,” he said.

Ezima said the commission has embarked on sensitisation on how to protect themselves from falling victims of MMM, wash-wash and foxy schemes, among other forms of crime.

He disclosed that the commission has held campaigns in Katsina state on how fraudsters operate and plans to organise similar programmes in other states under the zone. (NAN)