The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The defendants, identified as Liu Ke Fan, Huang Hai Tao, Zhang Kian Feng, Wua Wang, Xiao Xin, Wang Hong Lin, Wu Yong An (a.k.a Zenga Niu), Chen Yuan (a.k.a Xiao Doa), Chen Dong Dong (a.k.a Cun Zhao), Weng Mao Rong (a.k.a A Xiang and Wang), and Xiong Wei (a.k.a Xiao Bai), were arrested on December 10, 2024, during a surprise operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The operation targeted a syndicate of 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraudsters.
The defendants were arraigned on multiple charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
One of the charges against them states:
“That you, LUI KE FAN (AKA LINA, LIU CHEN), HUANG HAI TAO, ZHANG JIAN FENG, WU A WANG and XIAO XIN, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section l8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act. 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2 (3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge alleges that one of the defendants, Lui Ke Fan, engaged in romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud by impersonating an American woman named “Lina” to deceive unsuspecting victims.
“That you, LUI KE FAN (AKA LINA, LIU CHEN), sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, and members of your criminal syndicate group, specialized in romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others, domiciled at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria did fraudulently impersonate a 28-year-old ‘Lina’, from the United States of America living in Germany, by holding yourself out as such to unsuspecting victims via a fraudulent profile on your company assigned Maya desktop computer and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) and punishable under Section 22 (2)(iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc Act 2015.”
Additionally, another defendant, Wang Gong Lin, was accused of providing false information to EFCC investigators:
“That you, WANG GONG LIN (AKA WANG JING LIN), sometime in January 2025 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of investigation when you were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group, specialized in romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others; and in order to mislead them, you falsely represented your name as WANG JING LIN and you thereby committed 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.”
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. In response, EFCC counsel M.K. Bashir requested trial dates and urged the court to remand the accused in a correctional facility.
Justice Aneke subsequently adjourned the case to February 21 and March 7, 2025, for trial and ordered that the defendants be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
