EFCC arraigns nine Chinese on cyberterrorism and online fraud charges.
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On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Lagos Zonal Branch of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned nine Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Appeals of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The anti-corruption agency named the accused as Su Dong Fu, Zheng Xian Tao, Wang Shi Long, Pan Cai Qi, Ting Liao, Fan Jia, Feng Li Cani, Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng.
According to the EFCC, the accused are members of a syndicate of 792 cryptocurrency investment fraudsters and romance scam suspects arrested on December 10, 2024 in Lagos in a surprise operation dubbed "Operation Eagle Flush" by EFCC operatives.
The suspects were charged with specific charges, including alleged cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, possession of documents containing false statements, and identity theft.
One of the charges reads as follows: "Ti, Zeng etc.) of 2015 (as amended in 2024) and section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Suppression) Act of 2022".
All pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when read to them.
Considering his claims, prosecution lawyer MK Bashir requested the court to fix trial dates and send the accused to custody. Justice Aneke adjourned the case for trial to February 21 and March 7, 2025 and remanded the accused to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
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