The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, January 31, 2025, arraigned 11 Chinese nationals, one Filipino, and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants, identified as Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You, and Rheign Dela Vega, were apprehended during a special operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by EFCC operatives on December 19, 2024.
They were alleged to be part of a syndicate of 792 individuals involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.
The suspects were arraigned on multiple charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretenses, and identity theft.
One of the charges reads: “That you, LI YIN HUI and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, on or about the 18th of December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer systems organized to seriously destabilize the constitutional structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves. You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).”
Another charge states: “That you, LUO JIA YOU (aka A. YOU), sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully provided false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during an investigation into your involvement in a criminal syndicate specializing in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber-terrorism. In an attempt to mislead investigators, you falsely represented your name as A. YOU, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.”
A further count alleges: “That you, LONG SHAO MING (aka LING YANG), sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents containing false pretenses, wherein you falsely represented yourself as ‘Linda Maureen,’ a citizen of the United States of America. You knew the document to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, T.J. Banjo, N.K. Ukoha, and B. Buhari-Bala requested trial dates and the defendants’ remand in appropriate correctional facilities.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to February 7, 14, and 21, 2025, for trial and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
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