Security/Crime

Eleven Chinese Face Cyber-Terrorism, Internet Fraud Charges

By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd. for alleged cyber-terrorism charges.

The suspects were arranged on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The defendants, Liu Ke Fan, Huang Hai Tao, Zhang Kian Feng, Wua Wang and Xiao Xin. Others are: 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) are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10 , 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the anti-graft agency.

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The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.

One of the suspects, Lui Ke Fan (aka Lina, Liu Chen), who specializes in romance scam, crypto currency fraud and cyber terrorism, is accused of fraudulently impersonating a 28-year-old “Lina”, from the United States of America, claiming to live in Germany, via a fraudulent profile on his company assigned Maya desktop computer thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) and punishable under Section 22 (2)(iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc Act 2015″.

Another suspect, Wang Gong Lin (aka Wang Jing Lin), was accused of willfully giving false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of investigation when he wad being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group specialized in romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others. “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”, the charge read.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them, following which, the prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the correctional centre.

Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till February 21, and March 7, 2025 for trial and remanded the defendants at the Ikoyi correctional centres.

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