Lagos — IN an apparent move to check the increasing rate of internet fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared that it would start arresting Cyber Cafe operators uncounted internet fraudsters.

The commission's Director of Operations, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, who dropped this hint while briefing newsmen on the latest arrest of some suspected internet fraudsters among who were three secondary school students, said the aim was also to save the nation's image which has been dented by some unscrupulous Nigerians.

He informed that the executive chairman of the commission would inform the nation very soon on how the commission would go about the apprehension of erring cyber cafe operators who would do anything for money even if it was at the detriment of the nation's image.

The three arrested secondary schools students identified as Ahmed Biodun, Kunle Ishola and Ayokanmi Biola, whose ages are between 17 and 21 years, according to Lamorde, " were arrested this week. They ordered for some phones from an Australian through the internet and produced issued credit cards. When the complaint got to us through the victim, we acted swiftly by accosting them at the place of receipt."

Lamorde, who lamented the increasing rate of internet fraud, especially by teenagers , said if not checked, their activities would degenerate into high level of robbery. He therefore enjoined parents and guidance to dissuade their children from bringing strange items to the house.

Also arrested were the duo of Malik Mohammed and Durru Chinedu, who were alleged to have swindled a Saudi national of the sum of four hundred thousand dollar and impersonated as Assistant Accountants of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).