EFCC Arrests Cameroonian Suspect Over Alleged N1.5bn Bank Fraud in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a Cameroonian businessman, Bekono Marc Eric, over his alleged involvement in a bank fraud estimated at N1.5 billion.

The EFCC said the 47-year-old was arrested on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Ikorodu, Lagos, following intelligence reports linking him to a transnational syndicate accused of credit card fraud.

According to the commission, the group allegedly opens multiple bank accounts in Nigeria and obtains Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards with their corresponding Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

Investigators said members of the syndicate then travel to neighbouring countries, where the cards are allegedly used to carry out fraudulent withdrawals and transactions from accounts belonging to unsuspecting customers, particularly high-value account holders.

The EFCC said the operation forms part of a broader network of organised financial crimes exploiting weaknesses in cross-border banking systems across West Africa.

The commission added that Bekono is believed to have played a strategic role in the syndicate, though investigations into his specific involvement are ongoing.

The anti-graft agency said the suspect will be arraigned after investigations are concluded.

The arrest comes amid increasing scrutiny of transnational fraud networks targeting Nigeria’s banking sector, as authorities step up efforts to disrupt cross-border financial crimes.