On Friday, 14 Chinese nationals were found guilty and punished by a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for their roles in Internet fraud and cyberterrorism.
On December 19, 2024, a sting operation in Lagos disrupted a cybercrime gang that included the individuals, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
These 14 were among 792 people arrested for alleged bitcoin investment and romance schemes targeting Nigerians, the anti-corruption agency said in a statement posted on its 𝕏 account.
On separate charges of cyberterrorism and Internet fraud, they were hauled before Justice Daniel Osiagor.
According to one of the accusations, Su Zong Gen purposefully gained access to a computer system in Lagos, which is under the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, in December 2024 with the goal of undermining and destabilizing Nigeria’s social structure and economy.
During Friday’s sessions, the defendants altered their plea from not guilty to guilty.
The defense team did not challenge the application, but prosecution attorneys T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede urged the court to convict the defendants in accordance with their arguments.
According to reports, Justice Osiagor gave each of the convicted individuals a one-year prison sentence along with the possibility of a N1 million fine.
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The court additionally ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service to deport the convicted individuals to China within seven days of the conclusion of their sentence or payment of the fee.
The Federal Government was to forfeit all of the goods that were taken from the prisoners at the time of their arrest.
Chinese nationals Su Zong Gen, Li Zhong Chang, Chen Gui Ping, Li Xiang Long, San Feng Zhang, Jia Yang, Jia Zhi Hao, Liu Chuang, Yu Hai Ging, Zhao Xiao Liang, Dai Li, Tao Kun, Mao Bu Yi, and Zhao Zi Cheng are among those found guilty.
