Operatives of the Lagos Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, 26 October 2026, carried out a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, targeting suspected cybercrime fraudsters.

The commission said the suspects were allegedly obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrencies and international money transfers by impersonating several individuals.

The early morning operation, conducted around 5am, led to the arrest of 21 suspected fraudsters and the recovery of five exotic cars. The EFCC stated that the arrests followed diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the suspects’ activities.

According to the commission, a young woman who attempted to alert the fraudsters by making telephone calls during the operation was held and her phone temporarily confiscated. The phone was later released to her.

Preliminary investigations have indicted 19 of the 21 suspects, while the remaining two have been released. The EFCC said the indicted suspects would be arraigned in court immediately.

In a statement, the commission maintained that the operation was carried out professionally, with no record of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest of anyone.

The EFCC urged the public to support its efforts against economic and financial crimes and to condemn the activities of fraudsters bringing the nation into disrepute. It added that while it remains open to constructive engagement, it would not allow blackmailers and alarmists to sabotage its mandate.