Internet fraud suspect begs EFCC not to let his children know he is a ‘Yahoo boy’

A 29-year-old suspect of internet fraud, Akpojivi Joel Onoriode, arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has begged the commission not tell his children that their father is a “Yahoo boy”.

Onoriode, described as kingpin of cybercrime, was recently picked by EFCC Uyo Zonal Officer in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

During his interaction with the EFCC operatives, the suspect, a father of two, reportedly said he wouldn’t want anyone to tell his children that he was into cybercrime, which was part of the reason he relocated from Delta State to Cross River State.

“I was really known in my school then as a ‘Yahoo boy.’ I have two kids. I didn’t want to bring them up where people will say, ah! your father is a Yahoo boy.

“That was why I relocated my family from Asaba to Calabar. When I came out now and saw you people and the bus outside, my mind just told me there was a problem,” Onoriode, one of the suspects arrested after the EFCC operatives raided suspected internet fraudsters’ hideouts on between Sunday and Monday, stated.

“The Saturday morning operation led to the arrest of a known ‘Yahoo’ kingpin, Akpojivi Joel Onoriode, who is a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka. He is married and has two children,” EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said about the matter.

Orilade, who added that Onoriode was arrested in his lavishly furnished duplex located at Plot 10, Block VI, Unical Satellite Town, Calabar, which he confessed was purchased with proceeds from his illicit ‘Yahoo’ business, said the suspect confessed that he had been in the “yahoo-yahoo” business for a long time.

Known variously as “Blinks” or “Mr. White”, the EFCC spokesman said the suspect admitted that he currently operates an offshore account in China.

A search on the premises indicated the opulence of Onoriode’s life as the commission said three luxury cars – ZDX Acura car, E 300 Mercedes Benz and a Range Rover SUV – were recovered from him. Other items recovered include two iPhones, one Nokia phone, and documents of landed properties owned by the suspect.