A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced eight Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for their roles in a large-scale internet fraud and cyber-terrorism scheme. The suspects, who were among nearly 800 individuals arrested during the EFCC’s high-profile “Eagle Flush” operation in December 2024, were found guilty of participating in online scams, including cryptocurrency fraud and romance scams.
Presiding over the case, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu delivered the verdict on Tuesday after the defendants dramatically reversed their initial pleas of “not guilty” and admitted to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The convicted individuals include Guo Qiang, also known as Wu You You, Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang.
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The EFCC had arraigned the suspects for involvement in cyber-terrorism and various online fraud activities, accusing them of operating sophisticated digital schemes designed to defraud victims across borders. Prosecuting counsel U.S. Kyari, following the guilty pleas, urged the court to impose appropriate punishment to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in transnational cybercrime.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu sentenced each of the eight Chinese nationals to one year in prison and imposed a fine of ₦1 million (approximately $1,300 USD) per individual. The court further ordered that they be deported to China within one week of completing their sentences.
