EFCC Arraigns More Foreigners Among 792 Internet Fraud Suspects in Lagos

EFCC arrest foreigners

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned additional foreign nationals among the 792 suspects arrested in December 2024 over alleged internet fraud. The latest arraignment took place on Monday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the suspects faced charges of cybercrimes, identity theft, and other offenses.

The defendants include 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani. They were charged alongside Genting International Co. Ltd, a company allegedly linked to the fraudulent activities.

Charges and Allegations

The EFCC accused the suspects of engaging in cyber-terrorism, impersonation, and possession of documents containing false pretenses. The agency alleged that they used computer systems to undermine Nigeria’s economic and constitutional structures while employing Nigerian youths for identity theft to gain financial advantage. These offenses violate Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).

One of the charges specifically named Peng Li Jaun (a.k.a. Han Li Jaun) and Genting International Co. Limited, alleging that they orchestrated a scheme that destabilized Nigeria’s economic and social structures by recruiting Nigerians to impersonate foreign nationals for financial fraud.

Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes Act criminalizes the use of computer networks for terrorism, prescribing life imprisonment upon conviction. Section 27 imposes a two-year sentence for financial institution employees who assist in computer-related fraud.

Court Proceedings and Remand

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC’s legal team, led by prosecutors L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, M.S. Owede, B.B. Buhari, C.C. Okezie, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and Z.B. Atiku, requested that the accused be remanded in correctional facilities pending trial.

The trial judges—Justice Faji, Justice Dipeolu, Justice Owoeye, and Justice Aneke—ordered the defendants' remand at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres and set trial dates as follows:

Justice Faji: February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, and 20

Justice Dipeolu: February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28

Justice Owoeye: February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18

Justice Aneke: March 7

Background: EFCC's Largest Cybercrime Bust

The EFCC had, on December 10, 2024, carried out a large-scale raid on a seven-story building known as Bigleaf, located at 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. This operation resulted in the arrest of 792 suspects, including Nigerians, Chinese, Arab, and Filipino nationals, allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.

Speaking on the operation during a December 16 briefing, EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, revealed that months of surveillance led to the bust. He said the building, disguised as a corporate financial headquarters, was actually a cybercrime training hub where foreign nationals trained Nigerian recruits to carry out investment and romance scams.

“The foreign nationals used the facility to teach their Nigerian accomplices how to scam unsuspecting victims online, primarily targeting Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans,” Uwujaren stated.

Prior to Monday’s arraignment, 12 foreign nationals had already been brought before the court in connection with the same case, with trials set for February 7, 14, and 21.

The EFCC continues its crackdown on cybercrime networks in Nigeria, with more trials expected in the coming weeks.