The Delta State Police Command has uncovered alarming details regarding an internet fraud academy that has recently come under scrutiny. On Wednesday, Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe revealed that this academy, where over 100 teenagers were apprehended by Nigerian Army personnel, had been luring these young individuals with promises of training in Bitcoin and forex trading.
In a video shared on social media, Edafe explained that many of the suspects arrived at the academy with high hopes, only to realize that they had entered a so-called “Hustling Kingdom,” a term that highlights the deceptive and exploitative nature of the operation. Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the Nigerian Army conducted a raid on an estate in the Warri area, resulting in the arrest of 123 suspected internet fraudsters, most of whom were teenagers.
According to Edafe, the military’s intervention was prompted by a desperate call made by one of the suspects to a family member using a laptop supplied by the academy operators. Upon learning about the dire situation, the family contacted the military, leading to the large-scale arrest. Many of these young individuals had been recruited under false pretenses, only to find themselves trapped in a network notorious for cybercrime training.
Edafe elaborated on the recruitment tactics employed by the academy’s operators, stating, “Their modus operandi involves agents who showcase lavish lifestyles on social media—wealth that is often fabricated. They entice unsuspecting teenagers, typically aged between 17 and 20, by claiming they can teach them lucrative skills in forex and cryptocurrency trading.” This deceptive allure has drawn teenagers from various regions, including Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, and Ibadan, into the clutches of this fraudulent operation.
Once at the academy, these young recruits faced harsh treatment. Edafe reported that they were subjected to physical abuse and were provided with minimal food, often only when the operators deemed it appropriate. The situation paints a grim picture of exploitation, where the promise of financial independence is used as bait to ensnare vulnerable youths.
Despite the significant number of arrests, efforts to determine whether the academy’s operators have been apprehended have been unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer has not responded to inquiries regarding the ongoing investigation.
This incident reflects a broader trend of internet fraud and cybercrime that continues to plague Nigeria, as evidenced by recent reports. For instance, earlier in September, operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 48 suspected internet fraudsters in Umudike, Abia State, based on intelligence reports.
The troubling nature of these operations underscores the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures to protect young individuals from falling victim to such schemes. It is crucial for families and communities to engage in open discussions about the dangers of internet scams and the importance of critical thinking in evaluating online opportunities.
