The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged 14 Filipinos and a firm, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi for cyberterrorism and internet fraud in Lagos.
According to a statement obtained from EFCC’s X handle on Thursday, “The defendants are: Marj Maranga, Zara Fabian, Jonalyn Mendoza, Dominique Medina, Rachelle Cabalona, Krystel Aquilesca, Caselyn Pionela, Raizza Camara, Danica Silad, Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Sevien Cire Renovilla, and Rose-Ann Gonzales.
In a surprise operation known as the “Eagle Flush Operation,” EFCC agents arrested a 792-member syndicate of suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects in Lagos on December 10, 2024.
The defendants were charged with various offenses, including identity theft, impersonation, cybercrimes, and possession of documents containing false pretenses.
The charge against Dela Cruz reads: “That you, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, and Genting International Co. Ltd sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to seriously destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As amended 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That of Aquilesca reads: ‘That you, Krystel Aquilesca, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for your employer fraudulently impersonated one ‘TETEEL’ by holding yourself out as such, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
“They all pleaded ‘not guilty” to the charges, following which prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, and Bilkisu Buhari, respectively, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional center. Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter till March 13, 2025, for trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional center,” the statement added.
