The EFCC had apprehended 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraudsters in Lagos.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the 11 Chinese nationals, one Filipino, and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, arrested in 2024 over alleged internet fraud before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The accused individuals—Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You, and Rheign Dela Vega—were arrested on December 19, 2024, during a surprise operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The EFCC had apprehended 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraudsters in Lagos during the operation. The suspects faced separate charges related to cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
One of the charges alleged that Li Yin Hui and Genting International Co. Ltd accessed computer systems to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft and impersonation of foreign nationals for financial gain. This was said to be in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
Another charge accused Luo Jia You of providing false information to EFCC officers during the investigation by misrepresenting his identity. Similarly, Long Shao Ming, also known as Ling Yang, was charged with possessing fraudulent documents in which he falsely claimed to be an American citizen named Linda Maureen.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following their pleas, EFCC prosecutors requested trial dates and urged the court to remand the defendants in correctional facilities.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 7, 14, and 21, 2025, for trial and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.