The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians to the activities of criminal gangs posing as its operatives to rob and extort unsuspecting youths and motorists across major cities.
The warning was issued in a statement on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who explained the tactics being used by the impostors and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
According to the statement, victims are often targeted in public places such as eateries, nightlife spots, and along major roads, where the criminals accuse them falsely of internet-related fraud and dispossess them of valuables.
The Commission revealed that some of these gangs dress in a manner similar to EFCC operatives and even transport victims to fake office locations to make their operations appear legitimate.
It further noted that one group operates around popular relaxation spots, ambushing young people as they leave eateries and accusing them of cybercrime before robbing them.
Another set of criminals reportedly targets motorists on highways, forcing them to pay money under threats, often using weapons and false accusations related to vehicle number plates.
The EFCC also warned about online impersonators who stage fake “sting operations” with doctored visuals showing forced entry into buildings, broken doors, and staged arrests.
Reaffirming its mandate, the Commission stressed that such acts are not representative of its operations and cautioned that they distort public perception of its work.
The EFCC urged Nigerians not to allow criminal impersonators to undermine confidence in its anti-corruption efforts, emphasizing its continued commitment to fighting economic and financial crimes.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it will continue pursuing its statutory responsibilities while working to expose and dismantle these criminal networks.
