EFCC Arraigns 13 Chinese Nationals, Company Over Alleged Cybercrime
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges related to cybercrime, identity theft, and financial fraud.
The arraignment follows the landmark arrest of 792 individuals—including 193 foreigners and 599 Nigerians—on December 16, 2024, for alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.
The EFCC’s legal team, led by Larry Peters Aso and Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, presented the charges against the defendants, citing violations of Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
Those arraigned include:
- Wanq Jia Qi (aka Xiao Tian)
- Wang Zheng Ming
- Liyin Hui
- Xiao Hong Will
- Zhang Xiuo Lei
- Ling Yang (aka Long Shao Ming)
- Guo Xiao Fei
- Yang Sheng
- Wang Zheng Feng (aka Feng)
- Chen Wenyuan
- Liu Sau Hua
- Luo Jia You (aka You)
- Rheign Dela Vega (aka Rheignal)
The prosecution alleged that the defendants accessed computer systems with intent to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure and recruited Nigerian youths for identity theft, posing as foreign nationals to gain financial advantage.
With the aid of an interpreter, the charges were read in Mandarin, and all defendants pleaded not guilty.
However, one of the accused, Wang Zheng Ming, declined the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his own legal representation.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 3, 7, 14, and 21 for trial and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre pending their bail hearings.
The EFCC, in a December 16, 2024 operation, arrested 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kharzartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian at a seven-story building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, revealed that the facility—disguised as a corporate financial headquarters—was used to train Nigerian recruits in conducting romance and investment scams.
Uwujaren emphasized that the arrests challenge the stereotype that cybercrime in Nigeria is solely perpetrated by Nigerians, revealing how foreign syndicates are exploiting the country’s reputation to run fraudulent enterprises.
“This operation proves that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for cybercriminals, whether local or foreign,” the EFCC stated.
Another set of foreign suspects is expected to be arraigned before other judges on Monday as the commission intensifies its crackdown on cybercrime networks.
