EFCC nabs, jails China’s cybercriminals, internet fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction of six Chinese nationals at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Division, sentencing them to one year in prison for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicted Chinese are JIA You, Wang Zheng Feng, Liu San Hua, Chen Wen Yuan, Liu Beixing, and Wen Zong Xu.
The anti-graft agency nabbed the crooks during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ on December 19, 2024, as part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects.
They were arraigned in February on separate count charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The Chinese nationals changed their not-guilty pleas to guilty pleas at the court on Monday. After the defendants pleaded guilty, the prosecution urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Trial judges D.I. Dipeolu and A.O. Faji convicted all the defendants to one year of imprisonment, starting from the date of their arrest on December 10, 2024, with an additional fine of N1 million each.
The judges also ordered that after the Chinese nationals have served their sentences, they should be deported to China within seven days.
Meanwhile, 17 other Chinese nationals among the 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects were also convicted in a separate court at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Monday.
The 17 Chinese nationals convicted include Yu Hui, Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing and Li Qiang, Zheng Wei, Cheng Jian, DA Tou, A Wen, Zhang Lei, Huang Zhi, Pan Jiong and Chen Wen Yuan.
They were accused of accessing a computer system used to destabilise and destroy “the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015”.
Following their guilty plea, trial judges D. E.Osiagor and D.I. Dipeolu convicted all the defendants to one-year imprisonment, effective from their date of arrest, December 10, 2025, with an additional fine of N1 million each.
The judges also ordered that after the defendants have served their sentence, the comptroller general of immigration should ensure that they are deported to China within seven days.
The court ordered the forfeiture of the mobile phones, computers, laptops, and routers confiscated from the Chinese crooks during their arrest.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
INEC fixes September 19 for by-elections in four states
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed September 19 for five by-elections in four states. The states are Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta.
Uncategorized
Nigeria offers two savings bonds for subscription at N1,000 per unit
The Debt Management Office has announced two federal government savings bonds for subscription at N1,000 per unit.
Opinion
Mfon Ekpo: Olodo Uprising and the knowledge we fail to see
The Olodo Uprising challenges how we define and recognise intelligence when it appears in unfamiliar forms.
States
SSTA urges Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara governors to protect mass transit against bandits
SSTA has appealed to the governors of Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara to join hands to protect inter-state transport vehicles from bandit attacks.
Anti-Corruption
INEC raises alarm over scammers demanding money for election results, employment Â
The Independent National Electoral Commission has cautioned the public against individuals circulating fake appointment and nomination letters they claim INEC issued.
Politics
Adamawa assembly passes bill on gratuity, death benefits for emirs, chiefs
The Adamawa House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to provide gratuity and death benefits for emirs and chiefs.
