Eighteen suspected internet fraudsters were arrested in a sting operation in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State on Friday, by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The suspects are Adeleye Ayodeji, Muhammed Ayub, Odelade Samuel, Sodiq Olanrewaju, Ola Francis, Adeniyi Damilare, Olalekan Samad, Tunde Ayodele, Zubair Buhari and Oladosu Naheem.
Others are Olowokere Jamiu, Lawal Usman, Jamiu Abdulrasaq, Lawal Ahmed, Opeyemi Samuel, Alarape Ahmed, Kolawole Daniel and Ganiyu Taofeek.
According to a statement by the media unit of the commission in Ilorin on Friday, the suspects were smoked out of their hideouts at different locations following credible intelligence on their fraudulent activities in Ilorin and its environs.
Specifically, they were arrested at Sobi, Akerebiata and Las Vegas Estate, Asa Dam, in Ilorin.
The suspects who are mostly in their early twenties included six students of renowned tertiary institutions in the state, a footballer, fashion designer, bitcoin dealer, a laundryman and an online betting gambler among others.
Upon their arrest, five exotic cars, 32 different brands of mobile phones, eight laptops and other incriminating materials were recovered from them.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations, the statement added.