EFCC arraigns 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, others for alleged internet fraud

Some of the suspects in court on February 3, 2025.
On Monday, February 3, 2025, the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned 29 Chinese nationals, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani before separate Federal High Courts in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The suspects, along with the company Genting International Co. Ltd., were charged before Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke, respectively.

The defendants are part of a syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud, with 792 individuals arrested during a surprise operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 19, 2024, in Lagos. They faced charges related to cybercrime, cyber-terrorism, impersonation, identity theft, and possession of fraudulent documents.

The accused include Zhang Hua Zhai, Chen Xin, Li Zhen Peng, Guo Long Long, Ren Jia Wen, Zhang Jian, Zhao Ying Bin, Yu Zi (a.k.a Wei Xue Huan), Zhang Yang, Cherry De Leon (a.k.a. Yeah De Leon), Khurram Shanzad, Fernand Fu Fang (a.k.a. Kim), and many others.

Some of the charges include allegations of accessing computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s structure through identity theft, recruiting Nigerian youths to pose as foreigners, and committing fraud for financial gain.

For instance, one count states that Zhang Hua Zhai and Genting International Co. Ltd. allegedly caused the access of computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerians for identity theft and fraudulent activities. Similarly, other charges involved similar cybercrime offenses in various locations in Lagos, targeting the Nigerian economy and society.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. In light of their pleas, the prosecution requested trial dates, and the court remanded the suspects at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.

Justice Faji adjourned the case to February 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19, 2025, while Justice Dipeolu set dates for February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025. Justice Owoeye adjourned the case until February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18, 2025, and Justice Aneke adjourned for trial on March 7, 2025.