EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Rivers, Denies Residents’ Harassment
•By Admin
PORT HARCOURT – THE Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have on Friday arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters following a distress call by residents of Majesty Estate in Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Road, Port Harcourt.
According to Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity on Saturday, some concerned residents who were worried about the nefarious activities of some suspected internet fraudsters in their neighbourhood alerted the commission
Consequently, the operatives following discreet investigation launched a sting operation in the estate.
Oyewale disclosed that residents of one of the apartments flagged by the commission intelligence, denied the operatives access, refusing to open their doors even when operatives of the commission properly introduced themselves and announced their mission.
He said consequent upon the attitude of residents in the affected apartment, one of the doors was prized open and search operations were carried out, adding that no arrest or recovery was made and no unprofessional conduct happened in the course of the operations.
“In the course of the operation, the apartment of one of the residents that the Commission’s intelligence flagged was visited.
“For some inexplicable reasons, the residents refused to open their doors even when operatives of the Commission properly introduced themselves and announced their mission,” Oyewale said.
The EFCC’s Spokesperson however denied reports that operatives of the commission during the operation harassed residents of the estate, adding that many residents rather commended the Commission for coming to their aid in making some arrests of suspected internet fraudsters.
He said, “The Commission finds reports of a viral video of a broken door and harassment of residents in the Estate strange and unwarranted as many residents profusely appreciated and commended the Commission for coming to their aid in making some arrests of suspected internet fraudsters.
“The Commission remains resolute in upholding sound professional conduct in its operations and will not hesitate to take disciplinary measures against any of its operatives found to be overzealous in the discharge of his duties.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.