Nigerian suspects used romance scams and other online schemes to defraud victims out of millions of dollars.

Nigerian officials are stepping up their efforts to combat internet fraud and online romance scams.

More than 50 suspected internet fraudsters are to appear in court in due course following their recent arrest in the city of Asaba, the capital of the southern, oil-rich Delta State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended the so-called Yahoo Boys at several places in Asaba.

Nine exotic cars, cell phones, and laptop computers were recovered.

"They have made useful statements and will be charged in court as soon as investigations are completed," EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said.

On Monday, EFCC agents confirmed the arrest of six more alleged internet fraudsters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom's other southern state.

"They (suspects) will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded," Uwujaren said in a statement.

In another case, the Federal High Court in Abuja will resume the trial of a big case in which a local man faces nine accusations of romance scams today.

Wilson Daphey is scheduled to appear before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for allegedly scamming a German woman, Petra Goschenhofer, of £130,000 through an online romance scam.

Daphey allegedly pretended to be an American man named Jeffrey Guiseppe.

According to the court, the internet interaction began in 2008, but it was determined to be a hoax sometime during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Goschenhofer testified in court that she fell in love with the suspect and had been sending him money to help him save his business and pay his medical bills.

Four additional suspects are still at large in connection with the suspected online romance scam.