By Emmanuel Nduka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that all hotels found culpable of accommodating ‘Yahoo boys’ would be prosecuted for allowing their premises to be used to commit cybercrime.
According to the EFCC, any hotel when convicted, could attract up to five years imprisonment.
This warning was posted on the EFCC Facebook page in reaction to media reports that faulted the agency’s operation at a hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos.
“The operatives encountered women in some of the rooms who pleaded nudity to stop them from arresting their targets. This has lately become the antics of cyber fraudsters who procure ladies to plead nudity as a decoy, to allow their consort destroy incriminating items in their devices before arrest.
“There was no break in, no molestation and no violence of any kind. Both the hotel owner and his manager were quoted as refusing to speak on the operation. But the claim is obviously a game of ostrich as their involvement in pushing out the false narrative is discernable. The hotel owner perhaps is ignorant of the fact that he could become an accomplice and liable for allowing his premises to be used for cybercrime, in contravention of section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
“The section provides that, a ‘person who, being the occupier or is concerned in the management of any premises, causes or knowingly permits the premises to be used for any purpose which constitutes an offence under this Act is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years without the option of a fine.’
“The Commission warns hoteliers from allowing their premises and facilities to become havens for cybercrime.
“Adherence to the rule of law remains a core principle moderating the activities of the EFCC and the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa has repeatedly said the agency under his watch will not deviate from the norm,” the EFCC posted.
