EFCC Arraigns Nine Chinese for Alleged Cyber-Terrorism and Internet Fraud in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, arraigned nine Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The accused individuals—Su Dong Fu, Zheng Xian Tao, Wang Shi Long, Pan Cai Qi, Ting Liao, Fan Jia, Feng Li Cani, Lu Yong Yao, and Yang Chen Cheng—are linked to a large-scale fraud syndicate involved in alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud activities. They were arrested on December 10, 2024, during a surprise operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation” by EFCC operatives in Lagos.
The defendants face several charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents with false pretenses, and identity theft. One of the charges reads: “That you, ZENG XIAN TAO (also known as A TAO and ZHOU TAO) AND GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria, willfully caused the access of computer systems used for destabilizing and destroying Nigeria’s economy and social structure. This is contrary to 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.”
The accused pleaded “not guilty” to the charges read to them in court.
In response, prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, requested that the trial be scheduled and that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.
Justice Aneke adjourned the case to February 21 and March 7, 2025, for trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
