The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of cyber fraud, identity theft, and an alleged conspiracy to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional order.
EFCC’s Operation and Arrests
According to the EFCC, the foreign suspects were apprehended during a large-scale operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation”, conducted on December 19, 2024, in Lagos.
This comes just a day after the anti-graft agency charged 42 Chinese and Filipino nationals for similar offenses.
The accused individuals—Wang Xiong Wei (alias Xiao Bai), Chen Dong Dong (alias Cun Zhao), Chen Yuan (alias Xiao Doa), Wu Yuan An (alias Zeng Niu), Wang Gong Lin (alias Wang Jing Lin), and Weng Mao Rong (alias A Xiang)—faced multiple charges related to cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, identity theft, and possession of fraudulent documents.
Additionally, five other Chinese nationals—Liu Ke Fan (alias Lina, Lui Chen), Huang Hai Tao, Zhang Jian Feng, Wu A Wang, and Xiao Xin—were also arraigned for cyber fraud offenses.
Details of the Cybercrime Allegations
One of the key allegations against Liu Ke Fan is that he fraudulently posed as a 28-year-old American named Lina, living in Germany, to run a romance scam and cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
EFCC prosecutors, M.K. Bashir and R.A. Abdulrasheed, further claimed that the suspects operated as part of a 792-member syndicate specializing in cryptocurrency investment fraud and online romance scams.
According to the commission, the accused individuals deliberately misled investigators and provided false identities to evade justice.
Court Proceedings and Bail Ruling
During the court hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered their remand at Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending trial.
The case has been adjourned to February 21 and March 7, 2025.
Legal Implications
The EFCC noted that the charges against the defendants violate:
Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024)
Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004
If convicted, the suspects could face lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
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