The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, February 3, 2025, arraigned 42 foreign nationals before separate Federal High Courts in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants include 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani, alongside Genting International Co. Ltd. They were brought before Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke on various charges related to cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, identity theft, impersonation, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The suspects are part of a 792-member syndicate arrested on December 19, 2024, during the “Eagle Flush Operation”, a surprise raid by EFCC operatives targeting cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud networks in Lagos.
The charges against the defendants include willfully accessing computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional and economic structures by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft and financial fraud.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Zhang Hua Zhai, and Genting International Co. Ltd., on or about December 18, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully accessed computer systems designed to destabilize the constitutional structure of Nigeria by procuring Nigerian youths for identity theft and impersonation, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended, 2024).”
Another charge states:
“That you, Viera Dela Cruz (a.k.a. Nina Viera Gonzal) and Genting International Co. Ltd., in December 2024, in Lagos, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended, 2024).”
In a separate charge, another defendant, Shitou Shizilong, was accused of:
“Wilfully accessing a computer system to undermine Nigeria’s economic and social structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft and cyber fraud, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended, 2024).”
The EFCC continues its investigation as the legal proceedings unfold, with the prosecution expected to present further evidence against the suspects. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for cybersecurity, financial fraud, and foreign involvement in cybercrimes within Nigeria.
