In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a suspected internet fraud training facility in Umuahia, Abia State, operated under the brazen name “Yahoo-Yahoo Hustle Kingdom.”
The discovery was made by operatives from the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Friday, following credible intelligence. In a statement released on the commission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the agency confirmed the arrest of 23 suspects—eight of whom were undergoing training in internet fraud, while 15 others were believed to be either trainers or accomplices.
The operation, carried out at the Doofco Palace building behind Government College Umuahia, led to the seizure of two cars, 15 laptops, and 34 mobile phones.
The EFCC named the arrested trainees as Toona Henry, Tavershima Solomon, Chi Orseer James, Ubee Benjamin, Gabriel Ibe Ifeanyi, Tindue Godwin, Muhammed Terwase Micheal, and Destiny Andrew. Other suspects include Okezie Almond, Precious Osmond, Kenneth Prospect, Iweobi Chika Augustine, Nedolisa Victor, Kanu Austin, Anolu David, Collins Chinedu, Joshua Nnamdi, Ogechi Chibuzor, Michael Chinonso, Prince Chigozie, Festus Nwogu, Michael Lazarus, and Kingsley Ndubuisi.
Some arrests were also made in surrounding locations including Umudike, Ahiaeke, and Umugu—all within the Umuahia metropolis.
“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the EFCC said in the statement.
The raid in Umuahia adds to a growing list of EFCC operations targeting illicit “Yahoo schools”—criminal hubs where young Nigerians are allegedly groomed and trained to carry out cyber fraud.
In June 2024, a similar “Yahoo Academy” was dismantled in Ekpoma, Edo State, by operatives from the Benin Zonal Command, resulting in the arrest of 13 suspects. In April 2024, a cybercrime base in Ilorin, Kwara State, was shut down with 16 suspects taken into custody. Back in July 2023, the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office also raided a training centre in Osogbo, Osun State, arresting 22 individuals.
The EFCC has raised repeated alarms over the disturbing trend of internet fraud being glamorized and institutionalized through such “academies.” The commission warns that these centres—often operated by older, more experienced scammers known as “Yahoo bosses”—not only teach illicit online tactics but also instill a mindset of justification and criminal entitlement among the youth.
As the EFCC intensifies its nationwide crackdown, it continues to urge parents, community leaders, and stakeholders to take a stand against the normalization of cybercrime culture.