The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 more Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos over alleged cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The suspects, identified as Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei, Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen, and Yuan Zhibin, were arrested during the “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 10, 2024, which targeted a 792-member syndicate allegedly involved in cryptocurrency scams and romance fraud.
They face charges related to cyber-terrorism, cybercrimes, identity theft, possession of fraudulent documents, and advance fee fraud.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Bei Bei Linde Jun, (Female), and Genting International Co. Ltd, between November 28 and December 10, 2024, in Lagos, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize the social and economic structure of Nigeria by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft and computer-related fraud, thereby committing an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As amended).”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecuting counsels Ahmed Yerima, F.S. Mohammed, A.M. Dambuwa, and N.C. Mutfwang requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the accused in custody.
Justice Aneke adjourned the trial to March 14 and 21, 2025, and ordered that the defendants be remanded at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres pending the next hearing.
