A Cameroonian national has been arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his alleged involvement in a cross-border bank fraud estimated at about N1.5 billion.

 

 

In a statement by the EFCC, the suspect, Bekono Marc Eric, 47, was apprehended by officers of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC in Ikoyi on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

 

According to the anti-graft agency, the suspect is believed to be a member of a transnational syndicate known for carrying out credit card-related fraud across borders.

 

Findings from ongoing investigations revealed that the group operates by opening bank accounts within Nigeria and obtaining Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards along with their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

 

“Investigations revealed that members of the syndicate open bank accounts in Nigeria, obtain Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and PINs, and then move to neighbouring countries where they use the cards to carry out fraudulent transactions on accounts belonging to customers with high balances,” the EFCC said.

 

The EFCC further disclosed that members of the syndicate subsequently travel to neighbouring countries, where they use the cards to carry out fraudulent withdrawals from accounts belonging to unsuspecting bank customers with substantial balances.

 

The agency stated that the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.