A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, in connection with alleged cybercrime and security breaches. The defendants were arrested on December 10, 2024, following an investigation led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They are accused of using fraudulent online activities, including impersonation and identity theft, to deceive victims and destabilize the nation’s security.
The accused individuals, including Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, and others, were charged under sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015, which covers online fraud, and under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 2006. The charges allege that the group used fake identities to carry out fraudulent activities and trained other individuals to engage in similar scams.
The EFCC legal team, led by Director of Legal Affairs Aso Peters, presented the charges in court. The prosecution argued that the actions of the defendants undermined national security by enabling cybercriminal activities that targeted both individuals and businesses. The court heard that the group operated from their hideout in Lagos and was involved in large-scale online fraud operations.
The Chinese nationals and the company are accused not only of cybercrime but also of security breaches, which have serious implications for the country’s legal and economic systems. The court proceedings are still ongoing, with the defendants maintaining their innocence and pleading not guilty to the charges. They have been remanded in custody as the case continues.
The case highlights the increasing threat of international cybercrimes, with foreign nationals allegedly involved in activities that compromise the security of Nigeria. The EFCC’s investigation is ongoing, and authorities are taking a firm stance against foreign involvement in cybercrimes, aiming to send a strong message to potential offenders. The court’s decision to remand the accused in custody is a critical step in the prosecution of cybercriminals.
