EFCC secures 65 fraudsters’ convictions in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of no fewer than 65 financial fraudsters in the court from January to December 15 in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.

The Sokoto Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Aliyu Yunusa, disclosed this to newsmen during the end-of-year get-together organised by the anti-graft agency to celebrate its success in Sokoto on Friday.

Yunusa said the command surpassed its target of 50 convictions and attributed the successes to staff dedication, support from sister organisations as well as Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and individuals.

He noted that the most prevalent cases recorded included impersonations involving using other persons’ National Identification Number (NIM) in proxy, receiving stolen monies, cloning of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards for third-party money withdrawal, and defrauding individuals through false pretenses.

He said: “The most important celebration is that we stopped various crimes, discovered numerous frauds, and recovered funds from fraudsters within the year.

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“The get-together was to encourage the workers by showcasing the achievements, challenges with hope to improve in the coming year.”

The EFCC stated that the zonal office was faced with manpower challenges and staff training on specialised cybercrimes, saying fraudsters use modern ways of swindling people.

“When an incident happens, we look at it with forensic eye to block the loopholes and fast track investigations, thereby more sophistication are needed,” the commander added.

Yunusa reiterated that the EFCC would continue to work with zero-corruption tolerance clubs in schools, NYSC, Community Development clubs, and other CBOs on fighting crimes at all levels.

He commended journalists for their support to the command and enjoined them to redouble efforts on sensitisation to all forms of fraud and EFCC activities, to target stopping all forms of illicit financial dealings.

The Star