THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives at the Ibadan zonal office on Tuesday botched an attempt by a suspected internet fraudster to flush his phone through a water closet in order to deny access to potentially incriminating data about him.

The 20-year-old suspect, Fisayo Falade, was among the 15 young men arrested in Ibadan on Tuesday for internet-related crimes when the Commission’s operatives conducted a raid on two locations in the ancient city, a statement by Tony Orilade, acting EFCC spokesperson revealed.

Ten of the suspects were arrested at Akatanpa Powerline, while the other five were nabbed at Kushenla area of the state capital.

Ranging between the ages of 20 and 28 years, the suspects were allegedly hiding behind fake names and identities to perpetrate fraud, dispossessing their unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money.

Orilade explained that the suspects alleged involvement in internet-related frauds was reported to the Commission by members of their neighbourhood who noticed their expensive ways of life even though they are supposedly undergraduates, and without any known source of income.

Items recovered from them include two exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones and several documents containing false pretences.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the EFCC spokesperson said.