A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Jacob Lilian, has recounted before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, how her Chinese employer, Ling Yang, also known as Shao Ming, introduced her into cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud.
The trial of the Chinese national began today before Justice D.I. Dipeolu, with Lilian serving as the first prosecution witness.
She told the court that her journey with Yang began with a job search at Genting International Company Limited, after she joined a WhatsApp group with the description ‘Job Update’ and was interviewed for a job at an unknown address in Lagos.
Lilian said that upon arrival, rather than being asked for her credentials, she was placed in front of a computer for what she believed would be an online test. Instead, she was given a typing speed test.
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Despite scoring slightly below the required threshold, she was offered a job without any formal documentation or offer letter.
Working for Genting International, Lilian was provided accommodation and later received a script to engage with customers, primarily targeting European individuals.
She was introduced by the alias, Alani Thomas, and instructed to build rapport over several days before the employers would take over the conversations.
“The WhatsApp group is being monitored by the employers, and once names are exchanged, and I start to get to know the customer, by the third day of chatting with the customer, once they are at ease with me, I will be asked to stop chatting with the customer and then the employers will take over the chatting,” she said.
Lilian revealed that her monthly salary was N250, 000, yet she experienced a troubling work environment, where security monitored her closely, and her movements were restricted.
She added that employees were even required to surrender their phones at the start of each day.
The situation took a turn when law enforcement executed the ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ on December 10, 2024, leading to Yang’s arrest.
Yang faced charges under the Cybercrimes Act for impersonation to secure financial gains. He pleaded guilty to all charges, prompting the trial’s continuation.
Prosecution counsel, Hanatu KofarNaisa requested an adjournment to present further evidence, specifically a computer containing scripts used in the operation.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently scheduled the next hearing for April 11, 2025, allowing the trial to proceed.
