On Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) returned $180,300 and 53 vehicles stolen from Canadian citizens to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This followed a joint operation with Canadian authorities to recover assets linked to cybercrimes.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede highlighted that the return of these assets underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fighting financial crimes and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation. He stressed that Nigeria is dedicated to combating financial crimes and that the country should not be labeled as a hub for such activities.
The recovered funds include $164,000 from Bogomas Elena and $16,300 from Sandra Butler. The EFCC also tracked and retrieved 53 vehicles involved in the scam, some of which were discovered on a ship. The operation, known as “Operation Hot Wheels,” began in 2012.
Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Robert Aboumitri praised the EFCC’s efforts, calling it a model for international collaboration in fighting crime.