The United States Consulate in Lagos and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigative effectiveness and sustained efforts in combating sextortion and transnational financial crimes.
The US agencies also called for improved and timely intelligence sharing with the anti-graft commission to enhance investigations into cybercrime and other offences involving Nigerians and foreign nationals.
According to a statement by the EFCC, the commendation was made on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the US Consulate, SSA James Smith, and SSA Thomas Pepper of the Cyber Division of the FBI Headquarters to the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the commission, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Speaking during an interactive session, Smith said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing collaboration between the US Consulate and the EFCC, particularly in the area of information sharing to combat criminal activities involving Nigerians and foreigners.
He stressed that closer cooperation between the agencies would improve information gathering and intelligence sharing, particularly in ongoing efforts to tackle sextortion, cybercrime and other transnational offences.
Also speaking, Pepper praised the existing relationship between the FBI and the EFCC, noting that both agencies had collaborated on several investigations.
“Already, we have been enjoying a robust collaboration and partnership with the EFCC in so many cases.
“But I want to state that we are willing to improve the timeliness and efficiency of the investigative information we share with the EFCC,” Pepper said.
According to him, enhanced and targeted information sharing would further strengthen the relationship between the two agencies in combating sextortion.
Pepper disclosed that sextortion had become a priority issue in the United States and proposed the establishment of a joint team to facilitate intelligence gathering and information sharing.
He said the proposed arrangement would cover sextortion cases reported to the EFCC as well as requests made by the commission to the FBI.
Speaking on the proposed joint operation, the FBI official urged the EFCC to expedite investigations into sextortion cases.
He added that the FBI was working to obtain additional identifiers that would be shared with the commission to support ongoing investigations.
Responding, Kaltungo thanked the US delegation for the visit and assured the officials of the EFCC’s cooperation.
He said: “Our doors are always open for collaboration. We also maintain similar collaborations with other countries and international partners.
“However, we do need your assistance and support to enable us to track and apprehend these perpetrators in good time.
“The availability of tracking tools will help in making our work faster.
“I assure you of our continued cooperation and support; and we are here to assist.”
The acting zonal director also assured the delegation that the commission would expedite investigations into cases presented by the FBI.
The Head of Investigations, ACE II Moses Oguzi, said the EFCC had enjoyed a robust working relationship with the US Government and the FBI over the years.
Oguzi, however, urged the FBI to provide a framework for the proposed joint operation to guide the commission on the specific areas of focus.
He also sought clarification on whether the collaboration would be restricted to computer-related fraud or extended to other forms of financial crime, particularly amid the increasing incidence of visa fraud.
Responding, Smith assured the EFCC that the US authorities would provide a list of priority areas and cases.
“We have a lot of cases. Also, relevant information tailored to the agreed areas of interest will also be shared to avoid overwhelming the EFCC with unnecessary data,” he said.
