Yahoo Boys In Ibadan Hide As EFCC Clampdown Intensifies
One of West Africa ‘s largest cities, late Ibadan has become a safe haven for Yahoo Boys to take refuge in the city’s brown roofs suburbs.
Internet fraudsters in Ibadan, Oyo State, popularly regarded as “Yahoo Boys” or “G- Boys,” have been hiding as Nigeria’s leading anti- graft agency- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues its massive hide- out raid.
The EFCC steemed up harvesting fraudsters throughout Nigeria with serious arrests recorded this year in Ibadan, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin and other major cities in the country, causing the scammers to live flamboyant lives to become unsettled.
One of West Africa ‘s largest cities- Ibadan has recently become a safe haven for Yahoo Boys to take refuge in the city’s brown roofs suburbs.
This year’s story seems to be different, as EFCC agents raided the fraudsters at various locations with their suspected fraud proceeds seized.
A panicky source told Naijaparry he kept a low profile to avoid the EFCC ‘s prying eyes.
“I have parked my car at a safe place. I’m not using it until the EFCC reduces its tempo of arrests. I can’t even use the bank to obtain money from my clients. I have also being avoiding beer parlours because one doesn’t know who is who presently.” he said.
Naijaparry was also informed that some Yahoo Boys temporarily took menial jobs to hoodwink the EFCC operatives they believe operate in Ibadan undercover.
Another source named Gabriel( not a real name) revealed how he could not drive the well- used multi- millionaire Honda Crosstour he just bought with his loot.
“I can’t drive my new car around town. The street is not safe. These guys (EFCC operatives) are ruthless. They will seize all your properties and still parade you. I can’t stand the disgrace of having my pictures on social media pages and blogs with the tag of a ‘Yahoo Boy’. In fact, I don’t leave my house unless the reason is important. That’s how we are surviving now” he concluded.
Another fraudster, a young man in his late 20s, who doubles as the owner of the music record label, complained to a correspondent from Naijaparry that “fraud deals” were late due to the EFCC officials ‘ activities.
He alleged that they seem to work in concert with members of the controversial Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS or prostitutes popularly regarded in intelligence gathering as’ Oloshos.’
“This EFCC guys are not joking, there raids are done with so much accuracy. The house they raided around the Ologuneru area last week was close of mine. I almost rented an apartment there but I changed my mind. Just last week, I was apparently running helter skelter with my friend because they were at strategic locations in town and we had to avoid them” he said.
Most Yahoo Boys contacted this paper believe that heat is nothing but a “momentary madness” that the EFCC can not sustain.
“We have seen this before now, it happened early last year in Lagos and many of my friends had to leave the Island area to avoid arrest and asset seizure. Today, the guys have returned to their homes and they are working freely.” one young man named Haruna said.
Haruna revealed that in two months, they expect the war on Yahoo Boys to end. He explained that it is difficult to’ negotiate’ with the anti- corruption agency officials.
“Its very difficult to bribe these guys. They will dig out everything you are hiding. Even if they will set you free, they will make sure they strip you naked financially” he added.
Rumors round Ibadan revealed that the EFCC arrested and bankrupted a popular and established Yahoo Boy named Leke. After investigation, five exotic cars, more than N100 million and his house in the state of Lagos were confiscated. The former’ poster boy’ who allegedly sleeps at will with ladies is currently moving on commercial motorcycles around the city as he is completely broken.