13 Chinese nationals were placed on detention by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos due to accusations of fraud, impersonation, and attempts to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The defendants entered a not guilty plea to the allegations brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the judge ordered their remand.
Among the defendants were Yang Sheng (Madison), Chen Wenyuan (also known as Lee05mx20), Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (also known as Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (also known as You), Zhang Xiao Lei, Liu San Hua, and Rheeigh De La Vega (also known as Rheignalyn).
Together with a business, Genting International Co. Limited, they were arraigned.Following reliable information acquired by the EFCC, the defendants were part of a group of suspected fraudsters who were captured on December 10, 2024, at their hideout on No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Citing violations of Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, the accusations were submitted by the EFCC’s legal team, which included Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, Aso Larry Peters, TJ Banjo, M.K. Bashir, and I.N. Ukoha.
First, fourth, and sixth defendants were arraigned by Bilikisu Buhari-Bala; fifth, seventh, and eighth defendants were arraigned by Aso Larry Peters; ninth and tenth defendants were arraigned by T. J. Banjo; eleventh and twelfth defendants were arraigned by M.K. Bashir; and thirteenth defendant was arraigned by I.N. Ukoha.With the exception of Wang Zheng Ming, each defendant entered a not guilty plea when the charges were read to them individually.
Wang Zheng Ming asked for time to find his own attorney and turned down the EFCC-appointed attorney.With the exception of Wang Zheng Ming, each defendant entered a not guilty plea when the charges were read to them individually.
Wang Zheng Ming asked for time to find his own attorney and turned down the EFCC-appointed attorney.
While the others were transported to the Ikoyi Correctional Center, the two female defendants were placed on remand at the Kirikiri Female Correctional Center.
Liu San Hua, one of the defendants, was charged with aiding identity theft by employing young Nigerians to pose as foreigners in order to profit from the scam.Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015 was broken by this activity.
The defendants are also charged with instructing Genting International Co. Limited personnel in fraudulent methods, using false identities to swindle people online, and other offenses under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The allegations, according to the EFCC, emphasize grave offenses intended to compromise Nigeria’s financial integrity and security by means of fraud and cybercrime.
The following are some of the charges, “That you, San Hua and Genting International Co. Limited, in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft, causing them to impersonate foreign nationals with the intent to gain financial advantage. This constitutes an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
Another stated, “That you, Zhang Xiao Lei and Genting International Co. Limited, in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft, causing them to impersonate foreign nationals with the intent to gain financial advantage. This constitutes an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
It further stated, “That you, Wang Zheng Feng (aka A. Feng), in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed computer systems used to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social structure. You thereby committed an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
“That you, Luo Jia You (aka You), in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, gave false information to officers of the EFCC during an investigation. You misrepresented your name as A. YOU to mislead officers while being questioned for involvement in a criminal syndicate specializing in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber terrorism. This constitutes an offense under Section 39(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 and is punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.”