Three suspected internet fraudsters have confessed to using charms to facilitate their illicit online business.

The suspects were apprehended at their hideout at Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at about 6:30am on Wednesday by the police command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

Confirming the arrest in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said “The arrest of the suspects (names withheld) was made possible following a tip off by members of the public.

“The suspects, who had been elusive for some time now, were eventually arrested after several days of intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation carried out by the police.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being internet fraudsters and that they had defrauded many innocent victims they referred to as ‘clients’ of their hard earned money in naira and foreign currencies.

“They also disclosed that they often used charms to facilitate their illicit business.

“This they did by hypnotising victims and ‘commanding’ them to part with their dollars and valuable properties.

“The suspects further disclosed that those who had fallen victims included foreign nationals and Nigerians alike.

“Exhibits recovered from them included four assorted laptops and assorted criminal charms.”

While advising youths to shun crime and engage in legitimate businesses, saying the police were determined to prosecute unrepentant criminals in the state, the PPRO said, “The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, has directed that discreet investigation be carried out about their other nefarious activities at the end of which they would be arraigned in court.”