Crime
Police Uncover ‘Yahoo Boys School’ In Lagos, Arrest 10 Suspects
Among the suspects is a 12-year-old boy, who was found with visible injury marks on his body, allegedly inflicted by the principal suspect to force him into fraudulent activities.
Ikeja, Lagos State– The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an internet fraud training facility, commonly referred to as a ‘Yahoo School,’ operating in the Iju area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the operation in a statement on Tuesday, stating that officers successfully apprehended 10 suspects, including alleged masterminds and their trainees.
“During the successful operation, police detectives arrested four principal suspects, aged 22, 23, 25, and 26, who were running the fraudulent training facility,” Hundeyin said.
“Additionally, six other suspects, aged between 12 and 26, were found undergoing training in cybercrime and internet fraud.”
According to preliminary investigations, the alleged masterminds recruited trainees from Anambra State and engaged them in internet fraud and related criminal activities.
“The proceeds from their fraudulent operations were being confiscated by the principal suspects,” he said.
All 10 suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation and prosecution. Authorities are also pursuing other accomplices connected to the operation.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school, as well as the owner of the facility where these illegal activities took place,” Hundeyin stated.
“The owner of the facility is hereby warned, in his own interest, to turn himself in immediately at the SCID, Yaba, from wherever he is hiding.”
The command assured the public that all arrested individuals would be prosecuted accordingly upon the conclusion of investigations.
Among the suspects is a 12-year-old boy, who was found with visible injury marks on his body, allegedly inflicted by the principal suspect to force him into fraudulent activities.
“In line with due process, the underage suspect, who had injuries reportedly inflicted to coerce him into cybercrime, is receiving medical attention,” Hundeyin noted.
“He has been placed in protective custody until his relatives are identified and he can be reunited with them.”
Hundeyin also encouraged members of the public who had fallen victim to the syndicate’s fraudulent activities to report their complaints at the SCID, Yaba, to aid ongoing investigations.
