CRIME
Crypto Romance Scam Busted: 792 Arrested in Nigeria
Lagos, NigeriaTue Dec 17 2024
In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria's anti-corruption agency made a massive bust. They arrested 792 people in Lagos, Nigeria's business hub. These suspects were running a high-tech scam from a posh building called Big Leaf. The scam involved romancing people online, often through apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, to trick them into investing in fake cryptocurrencies. Among the arrested, there were 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals.
The suspects would first gain trust by chatting with potential victims, mostly from the Americas and Europe. Once trust was built, they'd ask for money for supposedly great investment opportunities. But these were just tricks! The Nigerian scammers would find victims online, and then foreign masterminds would take over to finish the job.
The agency seized computers, phones, and vehicles from the scene. They're also working with international partners to see if this scam is linked to bigger crime groups. This is a reminder to be careful online, especially when it comes to investing and making new friends.
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questions
What are the primary methods used by these scammers to gain the trust of their victims?
How did the scammers use social media platforms to lure their victims?
Could this operation be a cover for something more sinister, such as money laundering or cyber espionage?
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